Putin replaces defense minister Shoigu in major shakeup
Russian President Vladimir Putin has nominated an economist to replace longtime defense minister Sergei Shoigu as the country is trying to better utilize defense spending and harness greater innovation to win the war in Ukraine.
On Sunday, Putin proposed Andrei Belousov, a 65-year-old former deputy prime minister who specializes in economics, to become the country’s defense minister in place of Shoigu, as the Russia leader began his fifth term as president.
In line with Russia’s law, the entire Russian Cabinet resigned on Tuesday following Putin’s inauguration in the Kremlin. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin was reappointed by the president on Friday.
Belousov’s candidacy will need to be approved by the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament.
Shoigu's replacement comes following the arrest of deputy defense minister Timur Ivanov, who was seen as a close Shoigu ally, on bribery charges.
Putin also dismissed Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev, a key member of his inner circle, “in connection with his transfer to another job.”
Noting that the military and law enforcement authorities accounted for 7.4% of gross domestic product (GDP), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the decision made sense because it was vital to ensure such expenditures aligned with and better integrated into the country’s overall economy.
“The one who is more open to innovations is the one who will be victorious on the battlefield,” Peskov added.
The cabinet shakeup included proposals for other positions as well, but Shoigu is the only minister on that list who is being replaced.
According to the Kremlin, Putin appointed Shoigu as secretary of Russia’s national security council.
Russia’s economists have so far largely ensured economic stability and growth despite the toughest sanctions ever imposed on a major economy.
Russia launched the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Western countries have responded to the Russian military operation by backing Ukraine with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities.
Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Kiev will only prolong the conflict.
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