On Monday morning, 19 October, Vladimir Putin met Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the prime minister had put forward personnel proposals and that they "received the president's support." That is not a Duma vote and not a decree.

The government press service said that after the meeting the nominations go to the State Duma, as the constitution requires. TASS reports five names: four deputy prime ministers and a transport minister. Kremlin support is a step. The list is not a new cabinet.

Russian agencies published the names. Andrei Nikitin, now transport minister, is proposed as deputy prime minister. Irina Okladnikova, first deputy finance minister, is proposed as deputy prime minister and chief of the government staff. Anton Siluanov would remain finance minister, with the rank of deputy prime minister. Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Primorye, is proposed as deputy prime minister and presidential envoy to the Far East. Dmitry Yadrov, from the aviation agency, is proposed as transport minister in Nikitin's place.

The Duma scheduled consideration for 21 October at 15:00. On 19 and 20 October the candidates meet the factions, then go through committees. Until the chamber votes, the posts are not filled.

Peskov also said the current deputy prime ministers stay in office until presidential decrees. Even after a favourable vote, the appointment ends with a decree, not with Monday's headline.

Newsweek wrote that "the dictator" had "approved the reshuffle." That wording is the newsroom's, not the Kremlin's. Peskov spoke of support. Reuters, quoted in the same story, notes that the Duma still has to back the nominations.

Mishustin has led the government since 2020. Monday's meeting did not put his own post in question in the statements. The economy, the war and the polls are background, not Wednesday's vote.

This is not a cabinet changed on Monday. It is a list sent to parliament. If the Duma rejects a name or delays, the proposal stays a proposal.

Image: Yuri D.K., Kremlin Senate Palace, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; the building, not Monday meeting room.

Sources consulted: Putin approved the government reshuffle proposed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin - Newsweek; Russian PM submits five government nominations to State Duma for approval - TASS.