Current office-holders who hold the designation can also be sacked after 180 days if they are not removed from the register Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a federal law prohibiting individuals deemed foreign agents from taking part in elections at any level. The law took effect upon publication.

New Defense Minister Andrey Belousov will be able to properly steward the country’s substantial defense spending and ensure it helps the civilian economy, rather than detracts from it, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

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