The US Considers Wagner's Attack On NATO To Be The Same As A Russian Attack

JAKARTA - US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned that any attack by Wagner Group mercenaries against NATO members was considered an attack by Russia.

The statement was made at a press conference in New York discussing various issues, including efforts to end hunger, combat food insecurity during conflict, and fight for human rights.

Thomas-Greenfield declared Wagner's presence on the Polish border a threat to NATO.

"We are certainly worried because this group works on the orders of the Russian government," he said as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, August 1.

Thomas-Greenfield also mentioned Russia's threat of attacking civilian ships passing through the Black Sea.

He said the move was not an act that should have been taken by permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Late last June, Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin announced he would attack the Moscow capital after Russian troops attacked his fighters.

However, Prigozhin decided to withdraw his troops to avoid bloodshed. He also reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Before participating in Russia's "special military operations" in Ukraine, Wagner fought in several African countries, including the Central African Republic and Mali.