According to a news release on the website of the Russian president on May 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree appointing former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and nominating Andrei Belousov, who previously served as the first deputy prime minister, as the Russian defense minister.
On May 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his inaugural speech at the Kremlin in Moscow. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
According to the Xinhua News Agency, on the same day, Putin submitted to the Russian Federation Council, that is, the upper house of parliament, the list of nominations for officials in charge of seven departments of the new government in the fields of national defense, foreign affairs, intelligence, and law protection.
Some media pointed out that this is not only the most eye-catching personnel change in the field of Russian defense and security since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis in 2022, but also the first time in 12 years that Russia has changed its defense minister.
What are the considerations and meanings behind this personnel change?
Some analysts believe that Shoigu's departure is unexpected and reasonable. Belousov's appointment as defense minister means that Russia intends to improve the efficiency of the use of defense financial resources, improve the supply of equipment for the Russian army in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and use more "economic warfare" means to plan the special military operation against Ukraine.
After 12 years, the Minister of Defense was replaced, and the "old ministers" of the government were transferred
Just as in 2012, when Putin appointed Shoigu as Russia's defense minister, it was unexpected, and 12 years later, Putin's appointment of Shoigu has once again sparked discussion in the outside world.
Some foreign media pointed out that Shoigu is regarded in Russia as a "hero" who can calmly deal with major and urgent crises, and is also regarded by the outside world as Putin's "right-hand man".
Shoigu, 68, is the longest-serving senior official in the Russian government since the collapse of the Soviet Union, according to AFP, and is older than Putin. In the 90s of the last century, as the Minister of Emergency Situations, he traveled to the scene of various security accidents and natural disasters, commanded rescues, and was one of the most popular political figures in Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu after a military parade in Moscow, Russia, on May 9. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
In 2012, Shoigu was appointed defense minister by Putin after a corruption nest in the Ministry of Defense. He vigorously promoted military reform after taking office, and is Russia's longest-serving defense minister.
Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Shoigu, after being appointed secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, will continue to work in areas familiar to him. According to reports, Shoigu will be in charge of the work of the Directorate of Military-Technical Cooperation, and he will also be the deputy chairman of the Committee of the military-industrial complex.
So, what is the body of the Security Council of the Russian Federation? What exactly is the Secretary of the Security Council responsible for?
According to CCTV News, the Security Council of the Russian Federation is currently the highest advisory body for Russian security decision-making, and the chairman of the meeting is Russian President Vladimir Putin. The term "security" in the Security Council is not only a narrow sense of national defense security, but will also consider issues related to Russia's domestic military security, economic and social security, information security, and even ecological security. As the secretary of the Security Council is responsible for the day-to-day work of the body, Shoigu is likely to be more active in the international arena as secretary of the Security Council, as he also has significant influence on Russia's counterterrorism, arms control, and foreign cooperation in the military field.
Shoigu, Russia's longest-serving defense minister. (Source: CCTV news video screenshot)
According to Xinhua News Agency, the secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation is equivalent to the assistant to the US president for national security affairs. Like Shoigu, former secretary Nikolai Patrushev is an old friend and longtime ally of Putin. Peskov said that Patrushev had another appointment.
In addition, Peskov said that the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, will continue his work without considering changes in this regard, and "the current staffing of the military side remains the same."
Economist will be the Minister of Defense of Russia, who is Belousov?
On May 13, "Russian Defense Minister Change!" The news that "an economist has become Russia's defense minister" has made headlines in major foreign media and aroused the attention of the outside world.
Andrei Belousov, a 65-year-old candidate with no military background, was appointed assistant to the president in 2013 and is one of Putin's most influential economic advisers.
This is a file photo of Belousov's speech during a meeting in Moscow on March 14, 2020. (Source: Xinhua News Agency/Sputnik)
A glance at Belousov's resume shows that the key word in his career is "economy":
Born in Moscow in 1959;
In 1981, he graduated from the Faculty of Economics of Lomonosov Moscow State University;
From 2006 to 2008, he served as Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
From 2008 to 2012, he was the Head of the Department of Finance and Economy of the Government of Russia.
From 2012 to 2013, he was the Minister of Economic Development of Russia;
From 2013 to 2020, he served as assistant to the President of Russia;
In January 2020, he was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia.
Reuters reported that Belousov is also close to Putin, shares Putin's vision of making Russia strong again, and works with some expert officials in the top of the government who want more innovation and welcome new ideas.
Peskov said that the current situation in Russia is similar to that of the USSR in the mid-80s of the last century. At that time, spending on the military and law protection sectors accounted for 7.4% of gross domestic product (GDP). This means that it is critical that spending of this magnitude is better matched and integrated with the country's overall economy. Therefore, Putin wants a civilian economist to run the Ministry of Defense.
Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov: Whoever is more keen on innovation today and who implements it the fastest will win on the battlefield (source: CCTV news video screenshot)
Peskov said that the Russian Ministry of Defense should be open to innovation, to the introduction of advanced ideas, and to creating conditions for gaining economic competitiveness. "Whoever welcomes innovation more will win on the battlefield."
Korotchenko, an expert on Russian military analysis, believes that the proposal to appoint Andrei Belousov as Russian defense minister is a very appropriate decision. First of all, he "has a lot of practical work experience." "He is distinguished by strategic vision and non-traditional methods to accomplish a set of the most complex and urgent tasks facing the Russian Federation," Korotchenko said. His proposed appointment as Minister of Defense is undoubtedly the President's personal trust in Andrei Belousov"; In addition, Belousov "will integrate everything that is needed" and continue to work in a well-coordinated team in the Ministry of Defense - these are what is needed to achieve victory in the special military operation.
On May 9, in Moscow, the capital of Russia, a formation of military vehicles drove through Red Square. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
Korotchenko pointed out that if Belousov becomes defense minister, it will be possible to increase the efficiency of the use of Russia's allocated financial resources for defense, and the supply of modern models of weapons and military equipment in the zone of the special military operation will also be optimized.
According to the analysis of Russia Today TV, given Belousov's economic background, he can look at the problem from a different angle. It is clear that President Putin believes that Belousov is the one who can bring about change, the one who can bring victory to Russia on the battlefield.
(Poster News Editor Shi Hui Compiled from Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News, China News Network, etc.)