New G20 sherpa Stanislav Voskresensky may become the next president's economic aide.
Deputy Economic Development Minister Voskresensky has been confirmed as presidential representative for G20 affairs, or "sherpa," in a decree signed by President Dmitry Medvedev on Feb. 14. He succeeded presidential aide Arkady Dvorkovich, who replaced Igor Shuvalov — now first deputy prime minister.
Voskresensky said he would continue to serve as deputy minister. In that position, he is concerned with investment policy, raising energy efficiency in the economy and the Kyoto Protocol.
Dvorkovich told Vedomosti that he would no longer be the sherpa because the next G20 summit will be held under a new Russian president. Two sources close to him said he might be a deputy prime minister if Medvedev is the next head of government.
The likelihood of Voskresensky remaining sherpa beyond March 4 is high, said four government sources, who added that he would be transferred after the election from the ministry to the presidential administration to become economic adviser to the president as well.
No final decision has been made yet, one of the sources said.
Voskresensky distinguished himself in his activities to increase energy efficiency and in the Cinema Fund, which distributes budget money to the seven leading film companies.
One of Vedomosti's sources said the G20 required constant work and that was why the appointment was made in advance of the election. Sergei Ivanov, head of the presidential administration, was named to lead the organizing committee to represent Russia at the 2013 G20 summit.
Voskresensky began working in the president's expert department in 2004, becoming its deputy head in 2007. The following year, he was transferred to the economy ministry as deputy minister.
Before entering government service, Voskresensky was the financial director of Soyuzgidrospetsstroi, a subsidiary of Gidrospetsproekt, which was headed by his father Sergei Voskresensky at the time.
Voskresensky's colleagues at the ministry say he will do well in his new post.
"He already works with a lot of foreigners," one said.
Dvorkovich will help Voskresensky as well. They have worked together for many years and always had good relations. Voskresensky has liberal economic views, but they are more radical than Dvorkovich's, said former head of the president's expert department Anton Danilov-Danilyan.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
