Erdoğan calls Putin to express support in face of Wagner uprising

The Wagner group claimed that 180 Russian security personnel at the Bugaevka border crossing in Voronezh Oblast laid down their arms and refused to intervene against Wagner. (Photo: AA)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan today called his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to express his support for the Russian government in the face of an uprising by the Wagner private military contractor.

Erdoğan expressed his "full support for the steps taken by the Russian leadership" as Putin informed him about the current situation, the Kremlin said in a written statement.

Later, Turkey's Directorate of Communications also released a statement about the conversation, saying that Erdoğan emphasized the importance of "acting with common sense" during the crisis.

He further said "no one should take advantage of what has happened in Russia" and "we are ready to do our part" to resolve the issue, according to the statement.

Earlier, Putin had said that he had given orders to the army to "neutralize those who organized the armed rebellion." Addressing the nation, he accused Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin of "treason."

The uprising began early Saturday when Wagner fighters took over the city of Rostov before heading to Voronezh. Tensions between Moscow and the paramilitary group rose after Prigozhin accused Russian forces of attacking his fighters in Ukraine.

Russia denied those claims late Friday and issued arrest orders for Prigozhin.

Prigozhin has, in recent months, repeatedly accused Russia of not supplying sufficient arms to the paramilitary group which has been fighting alongside the Russian army in Ukraine.

Russia has been relying on Wagner to carry out its operations in Syria and Ukraine, with the group also known for its involvement in other conflicts around the world, including Libya, Sudan and Mozambique. (VK)