MOSCOW. May 14 (Interfax) - Former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who has been appointed Russian Security Council secretary, has taken on a major government position involving direct contact with the president, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
Asked on Tuesday by journalists whether Shoigu's transfer to the Russian Security Council could be viewed as a demotion, Peskov replied, "I don't think it's appropriate to interpret it in this way. This is a very high government post with a very broad range of duties, which plays a huge role for the country."
"Certainly, the head of this body is in permanent direct contact with the head of state, and this job involves a great deal of responsibility," he said.