Baltic states call for NATO to increase security with Wagner in Belarus

Russian law enforcement officers stand guard outside PMC Wagner Centre in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 24, 2023. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File photo

PARIS (Reuters) - Latvia and Lithuania called on Tuesday for NATO to strengthen its eastern borders in response to expectations that Russia's Wagner private will set up a new base in Belarus after its abortive mutiny at home.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in Belarus on Tuesday under a deal negotiated by President Alexander Lukashenko that ended the mercenaries' mutiny in Russia on Saturday. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wagner's fighters would be offered the choice of relocating there.