Vladimir Putin recently replaced his ally Sergei Shoigu as Russia’s defense minister. Breaking News 14 May

Vladimir Putin recently replaced his ally Sergei Shoigu as Russia’s defense minister

Vladimir Putin : Recent changes happening in Russia

Here’s something to ponder: regardless of who’s present at the cabinet table in Russia, it’s President Putin who holds the power to make all the key decisions in the country.

The whole political system in modern Russia revolves around him, which is something to consider when talking about who’s part of the government and who’s not. It’s highly unlikely that the central policy will undergo any significant changes.

Consider Sergei Lavrov, the seasoned foreign minister of Russia. He’s been holding that position for 20 years. Meanwhile, Sergei Shoigu has been the defense minister for 12 years (while the UK has cycled through six secretaries of defense).

Mr Shoigu is often seen as a trusted friend of President.

Remember thought number three: even if you’re buddies with President, bonding over fishing and hunting trips with the president (like Sergei Shoigu did – they famously went mushroom-picking together), it doesn’t guarantee job security.

The defense minister role previously held by Sergei Shoigu has now been filled by Andrei Belousov, an economist technocrat. But fear not, Mr. Shoigu hasn’t been left without a role. He will now be leading the Russian Security Council, taking over from the hawkish Nikolai Patrushev.

The Russian government has significantly increased its defense spending, reaching an estimated 7% of its GDP. It’s becoming more and more evident that they are putting the country’s economy in a state of readiness for potential conflicts.

Having a defense minister who grasps finances, economic planning, and the value of efficiency is logical. It’s crucial that they are not linked to any ongoing corruption investigations.

It’s fascinating how Putin chose this moment to switch things up. Even when Russia was going through military setbacks in Ukraine in 2022, the president stood firmly by Shoigu.

In 2023, he stood by his side once more when the minister clashed publicly with the late Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had accused Shoigu of corruption and insisted on his removal.

It’s quite telling that Russia’s leader, Putin, has chosen to replace his defence minister now that he believes his country has taken control of the battlefield. This move highlights Putin’s aversion to acting under pressure and his preference for making decisions when he sees fit.