MOSCOW, October 19. /TASS/. Reshuffles in the government, unrest in European countries, and the Ukrainian settlement were the main topics of Monday’s briefing by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
TASS has compiled the key statements made by the Russian presidential press secretary.
- "This morning, the president met with Prime Minister [Mikhail] Mishustin. Mishustin submitted proposals for reshuffles in the Cabinet of Ministers. They were endorsed by the president."
- The necessary procedures for appointing new candidates to the government will begin in parliament: "The prime minister then submitted the nominations to the State Duma in accordance with the Constitution. The necessary procedures will begin in <…> parliament."
- Government reshuffles are a normal part of the workflow: "Rotation processes in the government are an absolutely normal. And the prime minister continues his work and initiates the changes he deems necessary for the Cabinet of Ministers to operate effectively."
- It has been decided to expand Anton Siluanov’s authority by nominating him for the position of Deputy Prime Minister - Finance Minister due to the need for additional coordination of financial discipline during the current period: "At this time, of course, additional coordination of financial discipline is necessary. And from the perspective of a deputy prime minister, who, according to the division of powers, oversees several agencies and departments, Anton Siluanov will certainly have expanded powers."
- Putin supported nominating outgoing deputy prime ministers for state awards in recognition of their significant contributions to the government: "As you know, Prime Minister [Mikhail Mishustin] took the initiative to nominate outgoing deputy prime ministers for state awards in recognition of their significant contributions to the government over many years. This proposal was also supported by President Putin."
- "All deputy prime ministers will continue to perform their duties and carry on with their work until the president issues the relevant personnel decrees."
On possibility of trilateral meeting between Putin, Xi Jinping, and Trump
- The topic of a hypothetical trilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and US head of state Donald Trump was raised, given that all three leaders may attend the summit in China: "Given that all three heads of state may potentially take part in the summit in China, the topic of such a hypothetical meeting was indeed mentioned."
- No specific proposals or agreements on the trilateral meeting or its content were put forward: "No specific proposals or agreements have been discussed or voiced by anyone, neither on the meeting itself [between Putin, Xi Jinping, and Trump] nor on a potential agenda or the content of this meeting."
On Ukrainian settlement
- The US continues its mediation and peacemaking efforts toward a settlement in Ukraine, and Russia highly values them: "As for the settlement, you know that the US continues its mediation and peacemaking efforts. We highly value them."
- A Ukrainian conflict settlement is impossible without the participation of someone from Kiev who is willing to take responsibility: "Of course, without a doubt, a final settlement [to the conflict in Ukraine] is impossible without the participation of someone from Kiev who is willing to take responsibility."
On unrest in Europe
- The unrest spreading across Europe is indicative of a major crisis: "It’s hard to say whether the crisis is systemic or non-systemic. But it’s obvious that this is a major crisis."
- The unrest in Europe is, in fact, bordering on chaos, yet it remains a domestic matter for EU countries: "These are riots that are already bordering on chaos. They have already spread to France’s largest cities and to Italy, and they are beginning to spread to other countries. Here, of course, we are seeing a clear manifestation of a crisis. Nevertheless, this is an internal matter for these countries."