Image Credits- Mirror UK
President Vladimir Putin has appointed Andrei Belousov, a trusted economic advisor, to oversee the country’s defence ministry. This appointment highlights the Kremlin’s recognition of the pivotal role that economic factors will play in sustaining the war effort over the long term.
Belousov, a long-time Putin loyalist, has been a staunch supporter of the president’s policies, even in the face of international condemnation and economic sanctions following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. At a time when many economic strategists expressed concerns about the potential ramifications of such actions, Belousov stood firm, dismissing the impact of Western sanctions as “insignificant” for the Russian economy.
Now, nearly a decade later, Belousov finds himself at the helm of the defence ministry, tasked with overseeing a critical aspect of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. With military spending soaring above 7% of the country’s GDP, the Kremlin appears to be preparing for a protracted conflict, one in which economic factors will play a decisive role.
“The Kremlin sees the war as a war of attrition, and a war of attrition is won by economics,” says Alexandra Prokopenko, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and an expert on the Russian economy.
Belousov’s appointment underscores the Kremlin’s recognition that economic prowess and strategic resource allocation will be crucial in sustaining the military campaign over an extended period. As a staunch advocate of government spending to stimulate the economy, Belousov’s approach aligns with the demands of a prolonged conflict, where the mobilization of resources and industrial capacity will be paramount.
The decision to entrust the defence ministry to a trusted technocrat like Belousov signals Putin’s willingness to leverage economic expertise to bolster Russia’s military ambitions in Ukraine. As the war drags on, Belousov’s role will be pivotal in shaping Russia’s capacity to wage a protracted conflict.