War against Ukraine
Putin replaces Defense Minister Shoigu with economic experts
Russian President Vladimir Putin (l) and Sergei Shoigu (r)
© Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP / DPA
Sergei Shoigu loses his post as Russian defense minister. President Vladimir Putin is at least trying to save face for his confidant.
In the middle of the war against Ukraine, the re-elected Russian president replaces Vladimir Putin surprises his defense minister with an economic expert. Incumbent Sergei Shoigu will become secretary of the National Security Council and will be replaced as minister by civilian Andrei Beloussov, the presidential administration announced on Sunday. The 65-year-old Putin confidant Beloussov was formerly Minister of Economic Affairs and most recently First Deputy Prime Minister. According to information, Putin wants to hold on to long-time Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov should also remain in office.
In view of the increased military spending, Putin would like to have economic expertise at the top of the defense department, said Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “The Secretary of Defense should be open to innovation, to introducing any progressive ideas.” That’s why the choice fell on the economist Beloussov. “Those who are more open to innovation will be victorious on the battlefield.” Beloussov, who is said to have explained the importance of the digital economy and blockchain to the former intelligence officer Putin, is nevertheless, like the president, an advocate of a strong state.
The fact that Putin chose a representative of the economic wing in the Russian leadership and not a member of the powerful security apparatus is still considered a surprise. Shoigu is one of the latter forces, known as “siloviki.” This could mean that Putin is planning to win the war against Ukraine by further strengthening the arms industry and with the help of international markets, explained Russia expert Alexander Baunov. The senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center was a former Russian diplomat.
Shoigu criticized as defense minister
Shoigu and Gerasimov were repeatedly criticized in Russia for military failures in Ukraine. In 2014, Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in a step that was not internationally recognized and also supported separatists in eastern Ukraine. In February 2022, the Russian army began a major attack on the neighboring country, described by the Russian government as a “special military operation.” Ukraine managed to recapture large parts of the initially occupied territories. However, Ukraine has been on the defensive for some time now.
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Shoigu, who is controversial in Russia, is considered one of Putin’s closest confidants and was one of the longest-serving ministers. Shoigu, with whom Putin repeatedly went on fishing trips, had been disaster protection minister for many years before moving to the defense ministry in 2012. The 69-year-old’s new transfer is formally a promotion and is therefore considered a face-saving departure. The future of the influential former Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev initially remained open. The 72-year-old’s future tasks will be announced in the coming days, explained Peskov. Putin is the chairman of the Security Council.
Vladimir Putin begins his fifth term in office
The previous government constitutionally resigned when Putin began his fifth term as president on Tuesday. The 71-year-old, who first became president more than 24 years ago, was confirmed in March in an election that was internationally criticized as neither free nor fair. After the reappointment of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who is considered an efficient technocrat with economic expertise, Putin’s further personnel plans for the new government were announced on Saturday.
The Minister Denis Manturov, who was previously responsible for the Russian war economy, will be promoted to Belousov’s position as Mishustin’s first deputy. Manturov, who headed the industry and trade department, is handing over his ministerial post to the previous governor of Kaliningrad, Anton Alikhanov. The government announced that Manturov should also be responsible for the industry in his new role.
It is certain that Parliament will give Putin’s personnel plans the necessary approval.
Note: This article has been updated several times.