UAE, Bahrain urge calm, continued stability in Russia

Wagner private mercenary group fighters stand guard outside the headquarters of the Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don. (Reuters)
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Updated 24 June 2023
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UAE, Bahrain urge calm, continued stability in Russia

  • Putin said on Saturday he would crush what he called an “armed mutiny”

LONDON: The UAE is following “with great concern” the situation in Russian, and called for de-escalation and self-restraint, the Gulf country's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday reported by Emirates News Agency.

The UAE “stressed the need to respect the rules and principles of international law,” it added.

Bahrain also said it is following developments on the situation in Russia, calling it a permanent member of the UN Security Council concerned with international peace and security, the kingdom’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

“The Kingdom stressed the importance of preserving stability in the Russian Federation under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, and applying the laws adopted in Russia in a way that preserves security and stability for the friendly Russian people,” the ministry added.

Putin said on Saturday he would crush what he called an “armed mutiny” after mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said he had taken control of some southern cities and then traveled quickly toward Moscow.

The head of the Wagner group on Friday accused Russia of killing a “huge number” of his forces in strikes, which the Kremlin denies, and vowed to retaliate in a “march for freedom” to the Russian capital.

Later on Saturday, Prigozhin said he had ordered his fighters to halt their progress toward Moscow.