‘Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin has admitted to interfering in United States elections and said he would continue doing so in the future, the first such admission from a figure who has been formally implicated by Washington in efforts to influence US politics.
In comments posted by the press service of his Concord catering firm on Russia’s Facebook equivalent VKontakte, Prigozhin said: “We have interfered (in US elections), we are interfering and we will continue to interfere. Carefully, accurately, surgically and in our own way, as we know how to do.”
The remark was posted on the eve of the US midterm elections in response to a request for comment from a Russian news site.
“During our pinpoint operations, we will remove both kidneys and the liver at once,” Prigozhin said. He did not elaborate on the cryptic comment.
Prigozhin, who is often referred to as “Putin’s chef” because his catering company operates Kremlin contracts, has been formally accused of sponsoring Russia-based “troll farms” that seek to influence US politics. In September he admitted to founding the Kremlin-aligned, mercenary Wagner Group, which is active in Ukraine, Syria and several African countries.
Ukraine receives first delivery of NASAMS air defence systems
Ukraine has received its first delivery of NASAMS and Apside air defence systems from Norway, Spain and the United States, the country’s defence minister has said.
“We will continue to shoot down the enemy targets attacking us. Thank you to our partners: Norway, Spain and the US,” Oleksii Reznikov tweeted.
Kremlin declines to comment on reported talks with US
The Kremlin has declined to comment on a Wall Street Journal report that Washington held undisclosed talks with top Russian officials about avoiding further escalation in the Ukraine war.
“We have nothing to say about this publication,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“Once again I repeat that there are some truthful reports, but for the most part there are reports that are pure speculation,” he added, saying that while Russia remains “open” to talks, it is unable to negotiate with Kyiv due to its refusal to hold talks with Moscow.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that US NSA Jake Sullivan held undisclosed talks with top Russian officials in the hope of reducing the risk the war in Ukraine spills over or escalates into a nuclear conflict.
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