Photo credit Source : thehill.com
Putin Shakes Up Cabinet, Names Economist as Defense Chief
Title: Putin Shakes Up Cabinet, Names Economist as Defense Chief
In a surprising move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has named economist Andrei Belousov as Moscow’s defense chief, replacing long-serving Sergei Shoigu. Shoigu, in turn, has been appointed as the secretary of Russia’s security council, replacing Nikolai Patrushev.
The shakeup signals a shift towards promoting economic minds over military expertise to sustain Putin’s war machine in the coming years. Experts believe this move is also aimed at eliminating any potential threats of a usurper within the government.
Mark Galeotti, a Russia expert, stated, “We will see more arrests, really as a signal more than anything else, saying, ‘Look, doesn’t matter what the old rules were new, the new rules are different.'” This indicates a significant change in the country’s leadership and strategy.
The changes come as Putin was sworn in for his fifth term as president, solidifying his position as Russia’s leader until at least 2030. The replacement of Shoigu, who has been the defense minister since 2012, marks a significant shift in the Kremlin’s national security team.
Belousov, a deputy prime minister and economic advisor to Putin, has never served in the military. His appointment is seen as a move to streamline the country’s defense spending and align the Russian economy more closely with China for long-term military capabilities.
Jonathan Ward, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, believes that Putin’s aim is to bring China deeper into his war effort and align the two countries’ economies to strengthen their military capabilities.
Overall, the Cabinet shifts represent a turning point in Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, transforming the government into a warfighting institution. The timing of these changes, just before Putin’s visit to Beijing, suggests a strategic move to further integrate Russia’s economy with China.
For more information, read the full report on TheHill.com.
