Russia's latest appointment for defense minister boasts minimal military experience.
Vladimir Putin, after winning another term as President, made a shocking move by replacing his defense minister with a civilian who has no military background. Andrey Beloussov, known for his expertise in economics, will now stand at the helm of the Russian defense department. This came as a surprise as Sergei Shoigu, who has held the position since 2012, has been replaced as the Minister of Defense. Interestingly, he has been appointed as the Secretary of the National Security Council.
Beloussov has previously held key positions in the Finance and Economy Department, and the Ministry of Economic Development. In 2013, he became an advisor to President Putin, and since January 2020, he served as the deputy head of the Russian government. The reason behind Putin's decision to appoint an economist as the defense minister is not surprising. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, stated that Putin wanted someone who is open to innovation and introducing progressive ideas. He further added that this could be the key to winning battles. Additionally, Beloussov, who is said to have educated Putin about the importance of blockchain, shares Putin's belief in a powerful state.
In the midst of the ongoing war against Ukraine, this move came as a surprise as it was speculated that Putin would choose someone with a military background. Beloussov's appointment could potentially mean that Putin plans to strengthen the defense industry even more and rely on international markets to achieve his goals. Alexander Baunov, an expert on Russia, believes that by choosing someone from the business sector, Putin might be planning to win the war against Ukraine by reinforcing their arms industry.
However, Peskov asserted that the cabinet reshuffle would have no impact on the "military aspect" of the war, implying that the conflict remains under the control of the Chief of the General Staff. Putin has long-serving Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov still in their respective positions. Both have faced criticism for their failures in Ukraine. While Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014, they have been under heavy pressure due to the losses they have incurred in the conflict.
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In light of the ongoing 'Attack on Ukraine,' many were expecting Russia to appoint a defense minister with military experience. However, surprising everyone, President Vladimir Putin chose Andrey Beloussov, an economist with no military background, to replace Sergei Shoigu.
Despite 'Russia's' recent cabinet reshuffle, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reassured that the 'military aspect' of the conflict remains under the control of the Chief of the General Staff, suggesting that Putin's appointment of Beloussov won't significantly alter Russia's military strategy in Ukraine.
Source: www.ntv.de
