Putin appoints Medvedev as deputy chair of Security Council

Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday created the position of deputy chair of the Security Council and appointed former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to the post, according to a presidential decree.

"To appoint Dmitry Medvedev as Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, relieving him of the duties of Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation," said the decree.

It comes into force from the day it is signed.

The announcement comes following the resignation of Medvedev and Russian government on Wednesday.Following this, Putin offered Medvedev the position of deputy chairman of the Security Council.

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The Russian Security Council, currently chaired by Putin by virtue of his presidency, is a constitutional body in charge of drafting policy proposals ondefending thevital interests ofindividuals, society andthestate against internal orexternal threats, according to Kremlin's website.

It also helps determine auniform state policy onsecurity andhelps ensure thePresident's ability tocarry out his constitutional duties indefending human andcivil rights, aswell asRussia's sovereignty, independence andterritorial integrity.

Medvedev, a longtime close associate of Putin's, has served as Russia's prime minister since 2012. He spent the four years before that, from 2008 to 2012, as president.

(Cover: Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attend a meeting with members of the government in Moscow, Russia, January 15, 2020. /Reuters Photo)