Russia's government resigns as Putin offers spot on Security Council to Medvedev

Following Vladimir Putin's annual state-of-the-nation speech on Wednesday, where the president called for major constitutional reform, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced that Russia's entire ministerial cabinet, commonly referred to as “the government,” will formally resign.

In a public statement, Medvedev said the proposed amendments to the Constitution will change the balance of power among Russia's executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

“In this context, it's obvious that we, as the government of the Russian Federation, must provide the president of our country with the opportunity to make all necessary decisions in these conditions,” said Medvedev, explaining that his cabinet resigned in accordance with Article 117 of the Russian Constitution, which empowers the president to “instruct” the federal government, until a new cabinet is formed.

Following Medvedev's announcement, President Putin said he plans to offer him a new position as the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, a powerful consultative that shapes presidential decisions on national security.