<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidGskFs49SQ8dq" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>Former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Retired General David Petraeus, said on Sunday (June 25) that Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin should be careful around open windows in Belarus. Speaking to CNN, Petraeus said that Prigozhin lost his nerve in Russia after his revolt didn't appear to have generated the kind of support that he had hoped it would.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Putin has weakened, his government has weakened. The irony is that his junior partner in Belarus Lukashenko had to bail him out of this. Prigozhin kept his life but lost his Wagner group. And he should be careful around open windows in his new surroundings in Belarus," Petraeus told CNN.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-officials-threat-to-harm-families-made-wagners-prigozhin-call-off-moscow-advance-report-608667">Russian officials’ threat to harm families made Wagner’s Prigozhin call off mutiny: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>“Clearly, Prigozhin lost his nerve. He was … within roughly two hours drive of the outskirts of Moscow, where they were starting to prepare defensive positions. This rebellion, although it had some applause along the way, didn’t appear to be generating the kind of support that he had hoped it would. And again, he decided to take the deal. He gave up this effort," the former CIA director added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Putin has been shaken personally: Petraeus</strong></h2>

<p>Petraeus also told CNN that&nbsp;the Russian&nbsp;government and Putin had been shaken by the rebellion, adding this made the Russian president more vulnerable, arguably, than he has at any time in his two-decade rule of the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Petraeus' comments come as Russian mercenaries led by Prigozhin made a short-lived rebellion last Saturday, seizing Rostov and advancing on Moscow demanding the removal of Russian military commanders in charge of the ongoing war in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Wagner withdrew the rebellion after it struck a deal guaranteeing the safety and exile of Prigozhin to Belarus.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Russian defence minister visits troops involved in Ukraine war</strong></h2>

<p>Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited troops involved in the Ukraine war, his first public appearance since the weekend mutiny by Wagner, according to the RIA news agency on Monday (June 26). Though it was not yet clear when and where he met the troops and commanders of the Western military district.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Russia sought to restore calm following the aborted mutiny with Monday being declared a non-working day in Moscow to allow time for things to settle.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Retired General David Petraeus, said on Sunday (June 25) that Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin should be careful around open windows in Belarus.

Former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Retired General David Petraeus, said on Sunday (June 25) that Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin should be careful around open windows in Belarus. Speaking to CNN, Petraeus said that Prigozhin lost his nerve in Russia after his revolt didn't appear to have generated the kind of support that he had hoped it would. "Putin has weakened, his government has weakened. The irony is that his junior partner in Belarus Lukashenko had to bail him out of this. Prigozhin kept his life but lost his Wagner group. And he should be careful around open windows in his new surroundings in Belarus," Petraeus told CNN. Also read | Russian officials’ threat to harm families made Wagner’s Prigozhin call off mutiny: Report “Clearly, Prigozhin lost his nerve. He was … within roughly two hours drive of the outskirts of Moscow, where they were starting to prepare defensive positions. This rebellion, although it had some applause along the way, didn’t appear to be generating the kind of support that he had hoped it would. And again, he decided to take the deal. He gave up this effort," the former CIA director added. Putin has been shaken personally: Petraeus Petraeus also told CNN that the Russian government and Putin had been shaken by the rebellion, adding this made the Russian president more vulnerable, arguably, than he has at any time in his two-decade rule of the country. Petraeus' comments come as Russian mercenaries led by Prigozhin made a short-lived rebellion last Saturday, seizing Rostov and advancing on Moscow demanding the removal of Russian military commanders in charge of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Wagner withdrew the rebellion after it struck a deal guaranteeing the safety and exile of Prigozhin to Belarus. Russian defence minister visits troops involved in Ukraine war Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited troops involved in the Ukraine war, his first public appearance since the weekend mutiny by Wagner, according to the RIA news agency on Monday (June 26). Though it was not yet clear when and where he met the troops and commanders of the Western military district. Meanwhile, Russia sought to restore calm following the aborted mutiny with Monday being declared a non-working day in Moscow to allow time for things to settle. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Wagner chief Prigozhin 'lost his nerve' in calling off rebellion: Ex-CIA chief

<p>Former CIA director and retired four-star army general David Petraeus warned on Sunday that if Russian president Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons in the nation, the US and its allies would destroy Russia's troops and equipment in Ukraine as well as sink its Black Sea fleet.</p>

<p>Petreaus said that he had not discussed the anticipated US response to a nuclear escalation from Russia with national security adviser Jake Sullivan, even though administration officials claim that this response has been frequently expressed to Moscow.</p>

<p>In response, he said, "We would lead a Nato-as-a-whole action that would take out every Russian conventional force that we can see and identify on the battlefield in Ukraine and also in Crimea, as well as every ship."</p>

<p>The alert comes days after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/end-spiral-of-violence-and-death-pope-urges-putin-521874">Putin</a> made comments that many people regarded as a threat to escalate relations between Russia and the west into a full-scale war.</p>

<p>When asked if the use of nuclear weapons by Russia in the Ukraine would include the United States and NATO in the conflict, Petreaus responded that such an event would not fall under the provisions of Article 5 of the alliance, which calls for a collective defence. Despite the fact that Ukraine is not a member of NATO, Petreaus claimed that a "US and NATO response" would be appropriate.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-says-ukrainian-soldiers-success-not-limited-to-lyman-claims-forces-liberated-kherson-towns-521889">Zelensky says Ukrainian soldiers' success 'not limited to Lyman', claims forces liberated Kherson towns</a></p>

<p>Petreaus admitted that it may be possible to interpret the risk that radiation might reach NATO nations covered by Article 5 as an attack on a NATO member.</p>

<p>“Perhaps you can make that case,” he said. “The other case is that this is so horrific that there has to be a response – it cannot go unanswered.”</p>

<p>Yet, Petreaus added, “You don’t want to, again, get into a nuclear escalation here. But you have to show that this cannot be accepted in any way.”</p>

<p>Nonetheless, with pressure mounting on Putin after Ukrainian gains in the east of the country under last week’s annexation declaration and resistance to mobilization efforts within Russia mounting, Petreaus said Moscow’s leader was “desperate”.</p>

<p>“The battlefield reality he faces is, I think, irreversible,” he said. “No amount of shambolic mobilization, which is the only way to describe it; no amount of annexation; no amount of even veiled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chechen-leader-kadyrov-russia-should-use-low-yield-nuclear-weapon-after-new-defeat-in-ukraine-521614">nuclear threats</a> can actually get him out of this particular situation.</p>

<p>“At some point there’s going to have to be recognition of that. At some point there’s going to have to be some kind of beginning of negotiations, as [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelensky&nbsp;has said, will be the ultimate end.”</p>

<p>But, Petreaus warned, “It can still get worse for Putin and for Russia. And even the use of tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield won’t change this at all.” Still, he added, “You have to take the threat seriously.”</p>

<p>According to CNN, Senator Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Putin had two options: build defence lines or retreat and lose land.</p>

<p>Rubio asserted that he thought it "very likely" that Putin could target supply routes used by the US and its allies to reach Ukraine, including those located inside Poland. Although the senator accepted the nuclear threat, he stated that the main concern was "a Russian attack inside Nato territory, for example, aiming at the airport in Poland or some other distribution hub."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></p>


Former CIA director and retired four-star army general David Petraeus warned on Sunday that if Russian president Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons in the nation, the US and its allies would destroy Russia's troops and equipment in Ukraine as well as sink its Black Sea fleet.

Former CIA director and retired four-star army general David Petraeus warned on Sunday that if Russian president Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons in the nation, the US and its allies would destroy Russia's troops and equipment in Ukraine as well as sink its Black Sea fleet. Petreaus said that he had not discussed the anticipated US response to a nuclear escalation from Russia with national security adviser Jake Sullivan, even though administration officials claim that this response has been frequently expressed to Moscow. In response, he said, "We would lead a Nato-as-a-whole action that would take out every Russian conventional force that we can see and identify on the battlefield in Ukraine and also in Crimea, as well as every ship." The alert comes days after Putin made comments that many people regarded as a threat to escalate relations between Russia and the west into a full-scale war. When asked if the use of nuclear weapons by Russia in the Ukraine would include the United States and NATO in the conflict, Petreaus responded that such an event would not fall under the provisions of Article 5 of the alliance, which calls for a collective defence. Despite the fact that Ukraine is not a member of NATO, Petreaus claimed that a "US and NATO response" would be appropriate. Also read | Zelensky says Ukrainian soldiers' success 'not limited to Lyman', claims forces liberated Kherson towns Petreaus admitted that it may be possible to interpret the risk that radiation might reach NATO nations covered by Article 5 as an attack on a NATO member. “Perhaps you can make that case,” he said. “The other case is that this is so horrific that there has to be a response – it cannot go unanswered.” Yet, Petreaus added, “You don’t want to, again, get into a nuclear escalation here. But you have to show that this cannot be accepted in any way.” Nonetheless, with pressure mounting on Putin after Ukrainian gains in the east of the country under last week’s annexation declaration and resistance to mobilization efforts within Russia mounting, Petreaus said Moscow’s leader was “desperate”. “The battlefield reality he faces is, I think, irreversible,” he said. “No amount of shambolic mobilization, which is the only way to describe it; no amount of annexation; no amount of even veiled nuclear threats can actually get him out of this particular situation. “At some point there’s going to have to be recognition of that. At some point there’s going to have to be some kind of beginning of negotiations, as [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelensky has said, will be the ultimate end.” But, Petreaus warned, “It can still get worse for Putin and for Russia. And even the use of tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield won’t change this at all.” Still, he added, “You have to take the threat seriously.” According to CNN, Senator Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Putin had two options: build defence lines or retreat and lose land. Rubio asserted that he thought it "very likely" that Putin could target supply routes used by the US and its allies to reach Ukraine, including those located inside Poland. Although the senator accepted the nuclear threat, he stated that the main concern was "a Russian attack inside Nato territory, for example, aiming at the airport in Poland or some other distribution hub." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Former CIA director says US will destroy Russian forces if Putin deploys nukes in Ukraine

<p>The former CIA Director General David Petraeus on Thursday said that he never heard the term &lsquo;Indian State Sponsored terrorism&rsquo;.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Former CIA Director General David Petraeus silences a young lady who asked about Indian activities in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Balochistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Balochistan</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raisina2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raisina2018</a>: &lsquo;As Director CIA, never heard the term &lsquo;Indian State Sponsored terrorism&rsquo;. New normal is Rise of China and other is THE ANSWER IS INDIA. *applause* <a href="https://t.co/OodwQbPaXj">pic.twitter.com/OodwQbPaXj</a></p>
&mdash; Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/954037973888069632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Petraeus was answering questions at Raisina Dialogue, an annual geo-political conference held in New Delhi.</p>

<p>The former CIA director general&#39;s response came to a question on&nbsp;the alleged India-sponsored terror.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Former CIA Director David petraeus says never heard &quot;Indian sponsorship of terror&quot; <a href="https://t.co/i9cGcpQSB5">pic.twitter.com/i9cGcpQSB5</a></p>
&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/954026796315480066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&quot;I might offer that...as director of the CIA, and commander of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) in Afghanistan, I never once heard the term &#39;Indian state-sponsored terrorism&#39;&quot;, said Petraeus, as seen in a video clip circulating online. He headed ISAF in 2010-2011 and was CIA chief from September 6, 2011, until November 9, 2012.</p>

<p>The former CIA director&#39;s comment comes in the wake of Pakistan government&#39;s repeated accusations that Indian fomented terrorism in restive Balochistan province. The Baloch&nbsp;though often talk of the Pakistani state&#39;s and army&#39;s atrocities against them, including alleged rapes and &#39;disappearances&#39;.</p>


Petraeus was answering questions at Raisina Dialogue +, an annual geo-political conference held in New Delhi. The question was about alleged India-sponsored terror.

The former CIA Director General David Petraeus on Thursday said that he never heard the term ‘Indian State Sponsored terrorism’. Former CIA Director General David Petraeus silences a young lady who asked about Indian activities in #Balochistan at #Raisina2018: ‘As Director CIA, never heard the term ‘Indian State Sponsored terrorism’. New normal is Rise of China and other is THE ANSWER IS INDIA. *applause* pic.twitter.com/OodwQbPaXj — Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) January 18, 2018 × Petraeus was answering questions at Raisina Dialogue, an annual geo-political conference held in New Delhi. The former CIA director general's response came to a question on the alleged India-sponsored terror. Former CIA Director David petraeus says never heard "Indian sponsorship of terror" pic.twitter.com/i9cGcpQSB5 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 18, 2018 × "I might offer that...as director of the CIA, and commander of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) in Afghanistan, I never once heard the term 'Indian state-sponsored terrorism'", said Petraeus, as seen in a video clip circulating online. He headed ISAF in 2010-2011 and was CIA chief from September 6, 2011, until November 9, 2012. The former CIA director's comment comes in the wake of Pakistan government's repeated accusations that Indian fomented terrorism in restive Balochistan province. The Baloch though often talk of the Pakistani state's and army's atrocities against them, including alleged rapes and 'disappearances'.

Never heard of term 'Indian state-sponsored terrorism': Ex CIA chief

david-petraeus

David Petraeus, News on David Petraeus, stories on David Petraeus, articles on David Petraeus, David Petraeus stories at Wion, David Petraeus news, David Petraeus latest news

david petraeus

Wagner chief Prigozhin 'lost his nerve' in calling off rebellion: Ex-CIA chief

Former CIA director says US will destroy Russian forces if Putin deploys nukes in Ukraine

Never heard of term 'Indian state-sponsored terrorism': Ex CIA chief