⏱ 3 minute read
The West African country of Mali has provoked a warning from the United States against deploying Russia-backed Wagner (Vagner) Group paramilitary forces after reportedly signing a deal costing $10 million per day with the ostensibly private military company (PMC) with links to the Kremlin.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied that the Wagner Group represents the Russian state or is paid by it. He has also said private military contractors can pursue their legitimate business interests anywhere in the world as long as they do not break Russian law.
SEE ALSO: The Russian Mach 9 Tsirkon Hypersonic Missile is a Very Real Threat
However, many outside observers believe the Russian GRU, or military intelligence, directly controls or guides the Wagner Group.
See earlier reports on Putin’s ‘Private Army’ – the Wagner Group here and here.
Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty notes that Yevgeniy Prigozhin, a Russian businessman and close associate of Putin reportedly runs the Wagner Group, is sanctioned by the United States, Britain, and the European Union “in connection with his dealings with the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Defense and his efforts to subvert U.S. democratic processes.”
The European Union (EU) also recently slapped sanctions on the Wagner Group for human right violations as just reported here.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement on December 15 that the U.S. is “alarmed” by the potential deployment of Wagner Group forces in Mali. He noted that Wagner Group forces “will not bring peace to Mali, but rather will destabilize the country further,” adding that countries with Wagner Group deployments “soon find themselves poorer, weaker, and less secure.”
SEE ALSO: US-China Rivalry to Escalate Next Year
In his statement, Price cited Libya, the Central African Republic (CAR), Ukraine, and Syria as examples. In these countries he stated, the Wagner Group “stoked conflict and increased insecurity and instability, causing the deaths of local soldiers and civilians and undermining national sovereignty — all while depleting the national treasury and diverting essential resources that could have been used to build the capabilities of the countries’ own armed services.”
RFERL reported that:
Price added that engaging the Vagner Group “could put at risk” the contributions of more than 20,000 international peacekeepers and troops who serve in Mali at no cost to the government.
In a separate move on December 15, the EU said it would suspend its training mission for soldiers in CAR because of fears the mission could get tied up in violations of international law by Russian mercenaries, including many with the Vagner Group.
The European Union Training Mission in Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) says its job has been complicated by the presence of hundreds of Russian operatives who have arrived since 2018 and have been working in close coordination with the army of the CAR.
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Liberty Defense News. As a Marine Corps officer, he led Marines, served aboard ships in the Pacific and jumped from helicopters and airplanes. He was also a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at U.S. embassies worldwide. He later ran for state and federal office, taught political science, wrote for the editorial board of a major newspaper and had his own radio show. A graduate of Georgetown, London and Cambridge universities, he brings decades of experience and insight to the issues that most threaten our American liberty – at home and from abroad. To read more go to: paulcrespo.com.
Just Say No – US Warns Mali Against Using Putin’s ‘Private Army’ – Russian Wagner Group ‘Mercenaries’
Treasury Secretary Clarifies Threat Against Bill Pulte
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged Wednesday that he threatened to “kick ass” during a heated confrontation last year, while firmly denying reports that he threatened to punch the now-acting Director of National Intelligence “in the face.”
The unusual exchange emerged during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, where Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) pressed Bessent about reports surrounding a confrontation between the two Trump administration officials during the summer of 2025.
According to Bessent, one key detail in the widely circulated account was inaccurate.
While he denied threatening.
Seijah Drake
Seijah Drake was born in Boston, MA, where she developed a penchant for writing early on and a passion for politics in college. After college she worked briefly for a conservative media in New York before relocating to the Greater D.C. Area to pursue a career in political marketing. She now resides in the free state of Florida.
GOP-Led House Approves Iran War Powers Resolution In Rebuke To Trump
Six Thousand Complaints, 27 Investigations: The Federal Whistleblower Shield Exposed
California Tech CEO Arrested For Allegedly Supplying US Equipment To Iran’s Nuclear Program
Ohio Supreme Court Decision Could Affect Thousands Seeking Firearm Rights
Sponsored
Join SoldierStrong and Improve the Lives of Our Nation’s HeroesThe West African country of Mali has provoked a warning from the United States against deploying Russia-backed Wagner (Vagner) Group paramilitary forces after reportedly signing a deal costing $10 million per day with the ostensibly private military company (PMC) with links to the Kremlin.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied that the Wagner Group represents the Russian state or is paid by it. He has also said private military contractors can pursue their legitimate business interests anywhere in the world as long as they do not break Russian law.
SEE ALSO: The Russian Mach 9 Tsirkon Hypersonic Missile is a Very Real Threat
However, many outside observers believe the Russian GRU, or military intelligence, directly controls or guides the Wagner Group.
See earlier reports on Putin’s ‘Private Army’ – the Wagner Group here and here.
Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty notes that Yevgeniy Prigozhin, a Russian businessman and close associate of Putin reportedly runs the Wagner Group, is sanctioned by the United States, Britain, and the European Union “in connection with his dealings with the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Defense and his efforts to subvert U.S. democratic processes.”
The European Union (EU) also recently slapped sanctions on the Wagner Group for human right violations as just reported here.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement on December 15 that the U.S. is “alarmed” by the potential deployment of Wagner Group forces in Mali. He noted that Wagner Group forces “will not bring peace to Mali, but rather will destabilize the country further,” adding that countries with Wagner Group deployments “soon find themselves poorer, weaker, and less secure.”
SEE ALSO: US-China Rivalry to Escalate Next Year
In his statement, Price cited Libya, the Central African Republic (CAR), Ukraine, and Syria as examples. In these countries he stated, the Wagner Group “stoked conflict and increased insecurity and instability, causing the deaths of local soldiers and civilians and undermining national sovereignty — all while depleting the national treasury and diverting essential resources that could have been used to build the capabilities of the countries’ own armed services.”
RFERL reported that:
Sponsored
Paul Crespo
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Liberty Defense News. As a Marine Corps officer, he led Marines, served aboard ships in the Pacific and jumped from helicopters and airplanes. He was also a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at U.S. embassies worldwide. He later ran for state and federal office, taught political science, wrote for the editorial board of a major newspaper and had his own radio show. A graduate of Georgetown, London and Cambridge universities, he brings decades of experience and insight to the issues that most threaten our American liberty – at home and from abroad. To read more go to: paulcrespo.com.
Paul Crespo
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Liberty Defense News. As a Marine Corps officer, he led Marines, served aboard ships in the Pacific and jumped from helicopters and airplanes. He was also a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at U.S. embassies worldwide. He later ran for state and federal office, taught political science, wrote for the editorial board of a major newspaper and had his own radio show. A graduate of Georgetown, London and Cambridge universities, he brings decades of experience and insight to the issues that most threaten our American liberty – at home and from abroad. To read more go to: paulcrespo.com.
Treasury Secretary Clarifies Threat Against Bill Pulte
Search
follow us
subscribe
Trending Stories
Six Thousand Complaints, 27 Investigations: The Federal Whistleblower Shield Exposed
For the better part of a decade, theChina’s Fifth Column Doesn’t Require Troops Or Missiles
A jury is a modest institution. Twelve citizensDC Police Faked Crime Data And Now Congress Is Investigating
Congressional investigators are now looking into reports thatTrump’s AI Export Policy Faces Scrutiny As Chinese Military-Linked Labs Seek Access
PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): China labs, with military links,Commentary
Six Thousand Complaints, 27 Investigations: The Federal Whistleblower Shield Exposed
China’s Fifth Column Doesn’t Require Troops Or Missiles
DC Police Faked Crime Data And Now Congress Is Investigating
Trump’s AI Export Policy Faces Scrutiny As Chinese Military-Linked Labs Seek Access
Security
Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Warship, St. Petersburg Oil Terminal During Economic Forum
Los Alamos Employee Found Dead As Investigators Continue Examining Other Disappearances
US Considers Expanding NATO Nuclear-Sharing Program Into Eastern Europe: Report
Trump Names Housing Finance Leader Bill Pulte As Acting DNI
Foreign Affairs
California Tech CEO Arrested For Allegedly Supplying US Equipment To Iran’s Nuclear Program
Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Warship, St. Petersburg Oil Terminal During Economic Forum
French Left-Wing Leader Claims France Was Never A White Or Christian Nation
US Considers Expanding NATO Nuclear-Sharing Program Into Eastern Europe: Report
Business & economics
Insider Trading Investigation Launched Into Ex-Congressman George Santos
No, Matt Walsh, 50,000 People In Lake Tahoe Aren’t Losing Power Because Of Data Centers
Treasury Department Proposes Commemorative $250 Bill Featuring Trump Portrait
Report: Billionaire Republican Businessman Flees America Amid Rising Taxes
heath & science
Los Alamos Employee Found Dead As Investigators Continue Examining Other Disappearances
How Ken Paxton Finally Brought Texas Children’s Hospital To Justice
Longtime Florida Democrat Frederica Wilson To Retire From Congress
Trump Team Reportedly Moving Ebola-Exposed Americans To Kenya
American Liberty Arms
GunTuber Legend Dugan Ashley Arrested By Feds: Free Speech Concerns, And What It Could Mean For Content Creators
NRA, FPC, SAF Sue Maryland Over Glock-Style Handgun Ban
Virginia Officials Rebel: Sheriffs And Prosecutors Refuse To Enforce New Gun Ban
Pakistan Deploys Thousands Of Troops, Jet Fighter Squadron To Saudi Arabia
At American Liberty News, we eschew the mainstream media’s tightly controlled narrative to provide our readers with real news, real insights, and the means to take action. We seek out insightful coverage – and partner with knowledgeable and experienced people and organizations to bring you the information and insight our readers demand.
We humbly seek to provide the tools and information necessary for our readers to decide for themselves what is true and what is right.
TOP TAGS
TOP CATEGORIES
FEATURES
American Liberty News ©2024
Evolution Digital Media
1900 Reston Metro Plz
Suite 600
Reston, VA 20190