Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday approved a new government with key posts largely unchanged for his fourth Kremlin term. Veteran foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu both retained their posts in the government.
Putin met Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in the Black Sea resort of Sochi to discuss the candidates in a brief televised meeting. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov also held onto his post and was promoted to the position of first deputy prime minister, the second most important position in government.
That was the most significant change in the lineup for Putin's fourth Kremlin term, Medvedev told Putin in the meeting. Putin told Medvedev he agreed to the appointments. "They are all well known with good experience and have done well in their areas of work," he said.
Internationally respected since his appointment as foreign minister in 2004, Sergei Lavrov has appeared tired in recent years, a particularly turbulent time for Russia's ties with the West. A tough negotiator, the 68-year-old continues to defend Moscow's position around the world, speaking almost daily on the Ukrainian and Syrian crises. Defence minister since 2012, Shoigu has been behind the modernisation of the Russian army - most recently associated with the Russian military campaign in Syria.
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