Changes in the Russian Federation government announced through today have elevated individual ministers known for leading expertise in advancing industry, transportation, and economic innovation in the Russian economy. More changes—"shakeups” is the popular term—may be still to come.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, whom President Vladimir Putin reappointed on May 10, after his inauguration, “submitted proposals on the composition of the new Government to the State Duma for consideration” on May 11, including that Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov was becoming First Deputy Prime Minister; that “Given the importance of the further development of transport and logistics, including international transport corridors, the new Government will include the position of a specialized Deputy Prime Minister” for which Vitaly Savelyev “has been proposed as a candidate for this post,” who had been Transport Minister since 2020.
The surprise appointment made by President Putin, however, was that of First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov (2020), to replace Sergey Shoigu as Deputy of Defense! Belousov has been a long-time Presidential economic advisor (2013-2020), Minister of Economic Development (2012‒2013), Director, Government Department of Economy and Finance (2008‒2012), and Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Deputy Minister of Economic Development (2006‒2008). He is an outspoken advocate of more state spending for national economic development.
Peskov told reporters late on Sunday, May 12: “The Defense Ministry must be absolutely open to innovation, to introduce advanced ideas and to create conditions for economic competitiveness—that’s why the President chose the candidacy of Andrey Removich Belousov.”