Lukashenko reaps rewards of Wagner-Kremlin deal – at least in the short term

Claims Belarusian president brokered agreement may be exaggerated but it strengthens his hand in relations with Vladimir Putin

• Wagner rebellion ends - latest updates

The Belarusian dictator, Alexander Lukashenko, has emerged as an early beneficiary of the aborted Wagner march on Moscow, but those benefits may not have a long shelf life.

Whether or not Lukashenko played quite the enterprising broker's role described in the statements coming out of the Kremlin and Minsk (and most analysts are sceptical) he has emerged in the Russian press as the hero of the hour, the man who saved Moscow.