Russia
 
MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 18 confirmed the appointment of several new candidates for the Russian Cabinet, including Dmitry Patrushev as head of the Agriculture Ministry.

Patrushev is chief executive officer of the Russian Agricultural Bank. Earlier, he held roles at the Foreign Trade Bank (renamed VTB Bank) from 2004-10, and at the Transport Ministry of Russia from 1999-2002.

He graduated from the State University of Management in 1999, and between 2002-04 he studied at the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy specializing in the world economy.

Additionally, Putin appointed former ag minister Alexei Gordeyev as deputy prime minister in charge of agriculture. Gordeyev was ag minister from 1999 to 2009.