The armed Russian mercenaries, who had been rapidly advancing towards Moscow, retreated from the southern city of Rostov following a negotiated agreement on Sunday.

During a parliamentary session, Cleverly acknowledged the unique nature of Prigozhin's rebellion, which represented an unparalleled test to Putin's leadership. He further highlighted the emergence of cracks in Russian support for the ongoing war.

However, Cleverly made it explicitly clear that the British government considered this internal conflict to be solely the responsibility of Russia, affirming that the leadership of the country was a matter exclusively for the Russian people.

Cleverly distanced himself from Prigozhin and his forces, denouncing their involvement in atrocities committed in Ukraine and other regions.

Nevertheless, he underscored that Prigozhin had openly voiced what many have believed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion: that the invasion was unjustified and unprovoked. (ILKHA)