President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev signed a degree on formation of a new Russian Cabinet of Ministers headed by Premier Vladimit Putin. In turn Head of the Russian Government Vladimir Putin already announced a new structure of the Cabinet with the number of vice-premiers increased from five to seven and all key posts occupied by ex-officials of the Presidential Administration. For example, former Assistant of the President Igor Shuvalov alike Ex-Premier Victor Zubkov became the First Vice-Premier, former Head of the Presidential Administration Sergey Sobyanin headed the Government Office in the rank of the Vice-Premier, while former Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Igor Sechin became the Vice-Premier in charge of the industry.

Alexander Zhukov and Alexey Kudrin retained their posts of Vice-Premiers in the Government of Putin. Alexey Kudrin will concurrently head the Ministry of Finance as he did it in previous eight years. According to the new Premier, Zhukov will be in charge of national projects. Sergey Ivanov lost his status of the First Vice-Premier to become the Deputy Head of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Minister of Education and Science Andrey Fursenko, Minister of Agriculture Alexey Gordeyev, Minister of Regional Development Dmitry Kozak, Minister of Natural Resources Yuri Trutnev and Minister of Transport Igor Levitin also retained their posts in the Government of Putin. Elvira Nabiullina who was the Minister of Economic Development and Trade became the Minister of Economic Development only.

Newcomers in the Government Alexey Konovalov, Former Political Representative of the President in the Volga Region, who became the Minister of Justice instead of Vladimir Ustinov, and Igor Schegolev, ex-Chief of Presidential Protocol, who became the Minister of Communications and Mass Media. Earlier these functions were separated between Minister of Communications Leonid Reiman and Minister of Culture and Mass Media Alexander Sokolov. Former Ambassador to France Alexander Avdeyev now heads the Minister of Culture.

The functions of state policy in trade have been assigned to the newly established Ministry of Industry and Trade headed by ex-Minister of Industry and Power Engineering Victor Khistenko. The functions of state policy in energy sector have been assigned to the newly established Ministry of Energy headed by ex-President of Atomstroyexport Sergey Shmatko.

Let us recall that Vladimir Putin was appointed the Premier by new President Dmitry Medvedev on May 8, and approved by the State Duma.