China supports Russia in maintaining national stability - MFA

That’s according to a statement issued by MFA China’s spokesperson, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports.

"As Russia’s friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity," reads the statement issued on Sunday.

The very events related to Prigozhin's demarche are referred to as "Russia’s internal affair."

Earlier the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China reported on the talks held in Beijing between Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrey Rudenko. The parties "exchanged views on Sino-Russian relations, as well as international and regional issues of common interest." The diplomatic office did not disclose any details of the negotiations.

At the same time, neither the Chinese nor the Russian side previously announced the visit and neither did they report when Rudenko had arrived in Beijing and whether his visit to China, Russia’s key ally, was related to the attempted revolt by Prigozhin. Apparently, Moscow sent one of its top diplomats to Beijing precisely in order to inform the Chinese side about Wagner Group’s spectacle and the latest developments in this regard.

As reported, on June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the "Wagner" PMC, went for a démarche against the Russian military leadership, in particular against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Prigozhin’s private army took control of Rostov-on-Don and part of Voronezh region on June 24, after which the Wagner leader ordered his mercenaries to advance on Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the insurrection attempt, calling it a blow to the country’s back and vowing “harsh punishment” for those involved.

Later the same day, Alexander Lukashenko, in coordination with Putin, held talks with Prigozhin. Following these negotiations, Lukashenko’s office reported a de-escalation deal involving Prigozhin being exiled to Belarus and no legal action being taken against Wagner forces.

The military convoy heading for Moscow made a U-turn just over 100 miles away from the Russian capital. The mercenaries also withdrew from the captured Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, called the mutiny attempt the first stage in dismantling the system built by Russian President Vladimir Putin.