Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the failed coup in Russia is a direct consequence of President Vladimir Putin’s disastrous decision to invade Ukraine.
Russian mercenaries, led by former Putin ally and Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, came within 200km of the capital Moscow and captured the city of Rostov, where Russian generals are overseeing the war against Ukraine.
But the coup was put off following intervention by Belarus, which brokered a deal with Mr Putin’s approval to halt the advance of Wagner troops on Moscow in return for guarantees of their safety.
Albanese said it was unlikely the situation in Russia had been resolved….