Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has decided to change his defense minister for the first time in 12 years. Instead of Sergei Shoigu, he proposes to appoint economist Andrei Belousov, deputy head of the Russian government, doctor of economic sciences and a supporter of strict restrictions on business.
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The Kremlin says that Belousov’s main task at the Ministry of Defense is to “integrate” the military economy into the overall Russian one.
Reshuffles in the Russian government, the dismissal of Shoigu and Patrushev, and the appointment of economist Belousov as head of the Russian Ministry of Defense indicate that Putin is relying on the military economy and is preparing for a protracted war.
This is how the AFP publication concludes analysts’ estimates in a publication dated May 13.
Belousov has long fought for greater state participation in the economy. He has always supported Putin’s policies, one of his main ideas is “economic mobilization of the country.”
Putin “needs to further put the economy on a war footing and increase the efficiency of military spending, and Andrei Belousov is one of his most trusted economic officials.” This was noted by Ben Noble, a fellow at the Chatham House think tank and an associate professor of Russian politics at University College London.
The main conclusion is that the roads are ready for a long confrontation with the West,” adds the British expert.
American analysts believe that the replacement of Shoigu with Belousov as head of the Russian Ministry of Defense indicates that Russia is taking steps to prepare for a protracted war in Ukraine and confrontation with NATO in the future.
The appointment of Belousov to the post of Minister of Defense is an important event in the framework of attempts to create all the economic conditions for a protracted conflict, experts say. Belousov has no military experience, but this is not something new either for Putin or for Russia as a whole – Shoigu also had no experience of serving in the army.
Belousov’s nearly decade-long tenure as minister of economic development and involvement in managing various innovative projects, particularly drone development, prepared him to lead a department that, under Shoiga, faced allegations of corruption and came under fire.
Belousov has a reputation as an efficient technocrat, and sources say he is on good terms with Putin, the ISW report said.
Putin likely intends to use Belousov’s experience to unify military and economic policies. These efforts indicate that the Kremlin continues to prepare for a protracted war in Ukraine, ISW concludes.
Source: Racurs
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