Donald Trump has lashed out at President Joe Biden following the Wagner Group mercenary uprising in Russia, claiming the crisis will benefit China.
In a post on his Truth Social network on Saturday, Trump claimed, without offering evidence, that ‘Biden will do about Russia whatever President Xi of China wants him to do.’
He went on to claim, again offering no proof, that Biden and his son Hunter ‘illegally took large amounts of money from both countries, but China right now is the bigger threat.’
Trump, the leading candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, suggested that the armed rebellion in Russia would present an opportunity for China to seize Russian territory.
‘This is China’s heretofore unthinkable opportunity, much bigger than Taiwan, which to President Xi, can wait!’ Trump wrote, referring to the Chinese leader’s vow for ‘national reunification’ with the self-governed island.
Trump, the leading candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, suggested that the armed rebellion in Russia would present an opportunity for China to seize Russian territory
President Joe Biden boards Marine One with his son Hunter Biden as he leaves Andrews Air Force Base on his way to Camp David on Saturday
The Chinese government has not yet commented on the crisis in Russia, and China’s state-run media outlets have mostly offered sparse coverage, citing official Kremlin statements.
Meanwhile, Biden was seen on Saturday boarding Marine One for a trip to Camp David with son Hunter, who this week agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax evasion charges.
The Russian mercenaries who surged most of the way to Moscow agreed to turn back to avoid bloodshed, their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Saturday.
It marked a de-escalation of what had become a major challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power.
The fighters of the Wagner private army were just 125 miles from the capital when they turned back, said Prigozhin.
Prigozhin, 62, a former convict, was previously a longtime ally of Putin, and won lucrative Kremlin catering contracts that earned him the nickname ‘Putin’s chef’.
He gained attention in the US when he and a dozen other Russian nationals were charged with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at sowing chaos ahead of Trump’s 2016 presidential election victory.
Last November, Prigozhin publicly boasted he had attempted to interfere in US elections and vowed to continue to do so, a marked change in direction after he had for years worked to operate under the radar and avoid scrutiny.
Donald Trump lashed out at President Joe Biden following the Wagner Group mercenary uprising in Russia, claiming the crisis will benefit China
President Joe Biden walks with grandson Beau Biden to Marine One at Andrews Air Force Base
President Joe Biden boards Marine One with his grandson Beau Biden and son Hunter Biden
Earlier on Saturday, Biden spoke with his counterparts in Britain, France and Germany about the situation in Russia.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joined the call, according to a White House readout.
‘The leaders discussed the situation in Russia. They also affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine,’ the White House said in a statement.
As well, Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a call on Saturday morning with his G7 and EU counterparts and discussed the rapidly evolving situation in Russia, the State Department said.
‘The United States will stay in close coordination with Allies and partners as the situation continues to develop,’ Blinken wrote on Twitter.
Blinken spoke with all of his G7 counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the State Department said.
‘Secretary Blinken reiterated that support by the United States for Ukraine will not change,’ State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a release.
Developing story, more to follow.
