Members of Wagner group stand on the balcony of the circus building in the city of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023. Photo: Getty Images
The head of a Russian mercenary group is ordering a halt to his military advance on Moscow. Russian state media says leader of the Wagner group agreed to "de-escalate" the situation after talks with the president of Belarus. Convoys of rebel tanks and soldiers began to march on Russia's capital city after its leader claimed Russian forces attacked his troops. The White House says President Biden is monitoring developments after briefly delaying a scheduled trip to Camp David.
President Biden is going ahead with his weekend trip to Camp David as he continues to watch the situation in Russia. He made the trip after briefly delaying his departure to make calls to other international leaders. A group of mercenary soldiers had been marching on Moscow before its leader reportedly agreed to stand down. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan accompanied Biden to Camp David. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley canceled a planned trip to the Middle East to stay in Washington and monitor the Russia situation.