Andrei Belousov spoke at the Federation Council for the first time as a candidate for defense minister. During his speech, he called the manning of the armed forces and recruitment of contract workers an “important task”. However, he separately noted that he was not talking about mobilization:
"I would like to emphasize that we are not talking about mobilization, about any emergency measures, we are talking about planned measures. But, nevertheless, this process has already been launched - both conscription of citizens and, especially importantly, contracting," said the candidate for the post of Defense Minister.
Belousov also prioritized the issues of military education and issues related to equipping the army with equipment, ammunition, weapons and means of communication. Other priorities include social support for servicemen and the formation of the defense order for 2025. According to him, these tasks were set by Putin.
Belousov added that he is ready to give all his strength and "if necessary - life" to the realization of these tasks as minister:
"I will give all my strength, health, if necessary - life to solve the task. And you know, I have always been guided by the principle, I want to call it, I try to be guided and will be guided. It's an ironclad principle. You can make mistakes, you can't lie," said the future Russian Defense Minister.
