"Without Appearing to Take Sides" US Delays Sanctions on Armed Rebel Wagner Group

Russian Government Does Not Support Specific Factions Within Wagner Group

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 25th (local time), citing multiple sources, that the United States has decided to postpone sanctions against the mercenary company Wagner Group, which initiated an armed rebellion targeting the Russian government.

The U.S. State Department had originally planned to announce sanctions related to Wagner Group's mineral-related operations in Africa on the 27th, but postponed the plan following the outbreak of the armed rebellion.

One source explained the reason for delaying the sanctions announcement, saying, "The United States does not want to appear to be taking sides in this situation."

Another source also stated that the current top priority for the U.S. government is to make it clear that it does not support any particular faction between the Russian government and the Wagner Group.

Since 2018, Wagner Group has expanded its influence in the region by securing mineral mining rights in exchange for military support contracts with the governments of the Central African Republic, Mali, and Libyan warlords. When the war in Ukraine broke out in February last year, many African countries refused to join the West's sanctions against Russia, a situation that may have been partly influenced by this.

Earlier, from the 23rd when the rebellion began, the U.S. State Department emphasized to U.S. embassies in various countries that the United States should not be involved in this armed rebellion.