In official statements, it was stated that the incident was Russia’s “internal business” and that China supported the preservation of the country’s national stability, while the state media featured analyzes and comments affirming the attitude of the Moscow administration.
While the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs refrained from making any statement on June 24, when the events took place, it issued a short written statement on the night of June 25, after the attempt was rejected.
The statement, without mentioning the name “Wagner”, said, “This is Russia’s internal business. China, as a friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic coordination partner of Russia in the new era, supports its national stability, development and prosperity.” statements were included.
The statement came after the contacts of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, who came to China with an unplanned visit yesterday.
During Rudenko’s meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister China Gang and Deputy Minister Ma Caoşu, “international and regional issues of common concern were discussed”, and “timely communication in an international environment that presents a difficult and complex situation in line with the agreement reached by the leaders of the two countries”. It was reported that he pointed out the importance of protecting their common interests by establishing
Drawing attention to the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in maintaining regional peace and stability, the parties noted that they will “strengthen solidarity and cooperation for the healthy and sustainable development of the Organization”.
The difference between the statements of China and Russia
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning, at the regular press conference held in Beijing today, declined to comment on the reference to the events of June 24 in the Kremlin’s statement, while the Wagner crisis was not mentioned in the Chinese statement regarding Rudenko’s talks.
While repeating the Ministry’s statement last night, Spokesperson Mao, to another question regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s alleged phone conversation with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, said, “We are maintaining communication with Moscow at all levels. I have no idea about the phone call you are talking about.” gave the answer.
The situation at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant
Commenting on the meeting between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delegation and the delegation headed by Aleksey Likhachev, Director General of the Russian State Nuclear Energy Organization Rosatom, Mao said:
“China attaches great importance to the security of its nuclear facilities in Ukraine. It supports the IAEA to play a constructive role. The security of the Zaporozhye NPP is a part of the Ukraine crisis and its solution depends on the political solution of the Ukrainian crisis. All parties, peace and common ground. should keep in mind that security depends on the creation of favorable conditions for the continuation of negotiations and the appropriate handling of problems. China will continue to support peace negotiations and efforts to find a political solution to the crisis.”
State media support for Moscow
The Chinese state media also featured analyzes and comments supporting the Moscow administration’s attitude towards the crisis.
The official news agency Xinhua published today with the title “Explanatory”, “How was the tension caused by Wagner quickly relieved?” In the news titled, it was commented that Putin’s words, “Any action aimed at dividing our country is betrayal of our people. This is a dagger stuck in the back of the country and the people while our comrades in arms are fighting at the front,” used by Putin in his public address to end the uprising.
In the news, it was emphasized that the mediation of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, as well as the opposition from different segments of the Russian public opinion to the attempt, were effective in bringing the crisis under control quickly.
The Global Times, the media organ of the Chinese Communist Party, which governs the country, in its news titled “Western wishful thinking that the Wagner revolt weakens Putin’s authority”, stated that Chinese experts in the Western media said that the attempt to attempt weakened Putin’s power and the position of the Russian army in the Ukraine War. Opinions against the evaluations were given.
The revolt of the Wagner group against Russian rule
Yevgeny Prigojin, the founder of the private security company Wagner, accused the Russian army of organizing an attack on Wagner and threatened to respond, Wagner fighters left Ukraine and entered the border Rostov region.
Upon this situation, the Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case on the charge of “armed riot”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described Wagner’s rebellion as “treason”.
Prigojin announced that they would go to Moscow, and the Kremlin administration had increased security measures in many parts of the country.
It was reported that Yevgeny Prigojin accepted on June 24, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s proposal to de-escalate tensions in Russia.
Prigojin announced that they understood the responsibility for the shedding of Russian blood and that they would turn their convoys back and return to the field camps according to the plan.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitriy Peskov stated that the criminal case against Prigojin would be closed and stated that the “rebel leader” would go to Belarus.