Biden, Harris were briefed about 'latest developments' in Russia: White House

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were on Saturday briefed about "the latest developments" in Russia by their national security team, said the White House.

At the issue are unfolding events surrounding the Russian private security company Wagner.

The participants in the briefing included National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, CIA Director William Burns, and UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

"The President and Vice President will continue to be briefed throughout the day," said the White House.

In addition, Biden spoke on Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

"The leaders discussed the situation in Russia. They also affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine," said the White House in a statement.

Meanwhile, Milley is reportedly postponing his scheduled trip to the Middle East to monitor the developments in Russia. He was set to visit Israel and Jordan on Sunday.

On Friday, the paramilitary group accused Russian forces of attacking its fighters and subsequently crossed from Ukraine into the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.

In response, the Federal Security Service initiated a criminal case against them for "armed mutiny." Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled Wagner's uprising as an act of "treason."

Group's leader Yevgeny Prigojin said his fighters would proceed to Moscow, prompting the Kremlin to enhance security measures across various regions of the country.

Prigozhin later claimed his fighters decided to turn back to avoid bloodshed when they were about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the Russian capital Moscow, while Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed he held talks with the Wagner head with Putin's accord, and that Prigozhin accepted a de-escalation deal.