Prigozhin's Wagner group not only operates in the Ukraine war, but also in parts of Africa.
Diplomats are now planning a strike against the mercenary army.
Frankfurt – The influence of the Wagner Group is steadily growing and is now extending not only to Ukraine but also to other parts of the world.
In order to limit the paramilitary group's rapid expansion, European and American diplomats are said to be consulting behind closed doors on strategies to halt the network's operations.
As
Politico
reports, citing internal documents, officials warn that the Wagner Group could become a serious global threat in the coming years.
Of particular concern is Wagner's increased activities in Africa, where his trained fighters perform important security functions for regimes in Sudan, the Central African Republic and other countries, and increase Russia's influence on the continent.
Influence of the Wagner Group: Construction of military bases in Central African Republic
Wagner has signed contracts with governments in Africa to help fight rebels, protect government officials and secure an important gold mine.
From Libya to Sudan and Madagascar to the Central African Republic, the group is trying to gain a foothold by building cultural centers and military bases.
According to US government sources, officials are actively holding talks with allies in Africa to limit the group's influence.
They fear that Wagner's increasing links with countries in Africa could allow Russia to forge new partnerships while European forces withdraw.
"They are trying to drive African governments away from the West and democratic values in general," one of the US officials said, according to
Politico
.
"It's basically about undermining the West's relations with African governments."
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Tens of thousands of mercenaries now belong to the Wagner group.
© Viktor Antonyuk/imago
Prigozhin's Wagner Group: Impact on Domestic Politics in Estonia
But Wagner's military and political influence also grew in countries of the European Union (EU), including Estonia.
Widespread disinformation operations are intended to spread anti-NATO and anti-Western sentiment - for example by influencing news agencies.
In Estonia, Yevgeny Prigozhin's associates interfered in domestic affairs by trying to support the far-right Eurosceptic EKRE party ahead of the 2019 European Parliament elections, one of the documents said.
Prigozhin's direct ties to the Russian state allows him to expand his operations away from the Ukraine war around the world.
The group's employees and fighters communicate frequently with high-ranking Russian officials, including those in the security services and the defense ministry.
In addition, Wagner is to be financed to a considerable extent by the Russian state.
However, despite the obvious links between Wagner and the Russian state, the Kremlin has not acknowledged his links to Wagner.
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
Wagner Group: Macron accuses Russia of collaborating with "neo-mafia".
"A year ago I spoke to Putin and he assured me that Russia had nothing to do with the Wagner Group," French President Emmanuel Macron said at the Munich Security Conference.
"I accepted that," Macron continued.
Since then, however, Vladimir Putin has used military services in support of the Russian invasion, and thus apparently colluded with what Macron called the Wagner group, the “neo-mafia”.
Diplomats from the USA and Europe also see Prigozhin's growing ambitions in Wagner's expanded presence.
“Wagner is not only fighting alongside the Russians, Prigozhin is also forcing the Russian Ministry of Defense to recognize the group.
This is something completely new,” notes a European official, according to
Politico
.
"Prigozhin has become a leading voice seeking a broader escalation of the war in Ukraine," the US government documents said.
The Wagner leader "used his role as warlord to increase his access and influence with Putin and to profit financially from the war".
International presence of the Wagner Group: Operations are part of the "Magadan" project
A European Commission spokesman, Peter Stano, said Wagner posed "a threat" to the European Union and to all countries where the group operates.
"The Wagner Group has recruited, trained and deployed private military personnel to conflict zones around the world to foment violence, plunder natural resources and intimidate civilians in violation of international law," Santo continued.
Some of Prigozhin's operations appear to fall under a project called "Magadan,"
Politico
reports, citing the available documents.
To counter these, diplomats are to hold meetings around the world to discuss strategies to stop the group's influence.
US officials last met with officials from the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in December and January to discuss Wagner's operations in the country and the scope.
“Wagner is a cancer.
It's not just sitting in one country," said one of the US officials.
"It's something that spreads to neighboring countries, and then suddenly you have a huge problem to take care of." (tt)
List of rubrics: © Viktor Antonyuk/imago
