Monitoring Desk
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized minister Denis Manturov in an angry way for ‘bureaucratic delays’ in ordering civilian and military planes, in the middle of a meeting.
Denis Manturov has been a prime member of Putin’s team for several years. The president lost his cool during his government’s first meeting in the new year, publicly telling off the trade and industry minister.
For several minutes, president Putin accused Manturov of bureaucratic delays in ordering civilian and military planes. “Too long, it is taking too long,” said the Russian president, who has never been one to hold back in criticising top officials in public. “What are you fooling around for? When will the contracts be signed?”
According to BBC News, first meeting of the government came on the same day that the Russian leader replaced his top military commander in Ukraine after just three months in charge. Gen Sergei Surovikin was appointed in October after a series of setbacks in Russia-Ukraine war.
President Putin praised ministers’ handling of economy
In an otherwise upbeat video call shown on Russian TV, President Putin praised his ministers’ handling of the economy but repeatedly interrupted Manturov, as he detailed plans for helicopters, planes and boats. “These 700 aircraft, including helicopters… you need to sort this out with the defence ministry… several enterprises still haven’t received any orders,” he complained.
Manturov has been a member of the Putin team since 2012. He has regularly travelled with president Putin on foreign as well as domestic visits. He was assigned the task of overseeing Russia’s weapons industry in 2022 summer when shortcomings had already been exposed on the battlefield.
