UK intelligence stated that Putin's appointment of Anna Tsivileva to the prominent role of state secretary of defense reflects a disturbing level of nepotism in a regime already known for its corruption and patronage. The Ministry of Defence highlighted that Tsivileva, despite her new high-profile position, lacks any significant background in defense, previously only connected through her familial ties to the President.
Tsivileva, often referred to as Putin's niece, was elevated from a deputy minister role with no prior experience or qualifications in defense matters. Critics within Russian society voice their concerns that her appointment symbolizes a troubling departure from meritocracy, as she has mainly operated in the medical and business sectors, transitioning from psychiatry to the mining and tourism industries.
Despite her murky qualifications, Tsivileva's role now involves overseeing interdepartmental relationships within the defense ministry, indicating that even in Putin’s increasingly isolated environment, nepotism has trumped merit in leadership appointments. Her family ties offer access to power and resources that may not correlate with public service responsibility.
The appointment has sparked a conversation around the extent of nepotism in Russian governance, with insiders revealing that Tsivileva maintains a personal rapport with Putin despite the growing paranoia surrounding his regime. This situation highlights the normalizing of such practices, as Russian media voices muted critiques aimed at addressing Tsivileva’s professional trajectory.
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