On Sunday, the Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made changes to his national security team, including the replacement of his defense minister. This shake-up reflects Putin’s efforts to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of his administration.
Andrei R. Belousov, a highly experienced economist who previously held positions as deputy prime minister and economic development minister, has been selected by Putin himself to assume the role of the new defense chief.
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Belousov is set to replace Sergei Shoigu as per the approval of the Kremlin. However, Shoigu will continue his role in the cabinet as the head of the country’s security council.
According to The New York Times, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has prompted President Putin to make changes to his security team. This shakeup marks Putin’s first since the invasion began, and it may indicate further changes to come as the war continues.
Analysts suggest that Putin was caught off guard by the fierce resistance from Ukraine and the unexpected international support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Nikolai Patrushev, a former KGB colleague of Putin, who has been leading the Russian security council for 16 years, will be reassigned to a different role in the near future, according to the Kremlin.
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov, the surge in Russia’s defense budget during the war prompted Putin to implement the changes.
According to Peskov, it is crucial to align the economy of the security bloc with the country’s economy in order to ensure that it is in line with the current dynamics.
Following Putin’s inauguration, he embarks on his fifth term as the President of Russia.
