Vladimir Putin takes oath as president of Russia – for the fifth time: “He will continue on the path he has chosen, with victory in Ukraine as priority number 1”

The current Prime Minister is Mikhail Mishustin, a name that does not immediately sound familiar here. “He is a gray mouse, and that is precisely why he is Prime Minister,” says Jan Balliauw, Russia expert from VRT NWS, in a conversation with “New Facts” on Radio 1. “He is not a competitor for Putin at all, but faithfully implements what the president orders him to do.”

There has been some speculation in recent weeks that a new Prime Minister would be appointed. “But that was also said 6 years ago, and that turned out not to be the case,” says Balliauw. At the end of this month, the State Duma, the Russian parliament, must approve the new or reappointed prime minister. Then there could also be a new government.

“But no major changes are expected there either,” says Balliauw. There is the most speculation about Sergei Shoigu, the current Defense Minister, who has often been criticized. “He is under pressure, especially now that his deputy minister Timur Ivanov was arrested at the end of April on suspicion of corruption. But he is also a friend of Putin, who is very loyal. Putin considers loyalty very important, more important than the achievements of his ministers. Putin relies on that loyalty.”