One provides that firms cannot refuse government contracts for goods and services related to a special military operation
a term that Moscow uses for its offensive in Ukraine to avoid talking about war.
The other will amend the Labor Code so that the Kremlin can regulate working hours, in order to force employees of these companies to work at night, on weekends, on holidays and without annual leave.
Both bills passed the first reading stage in the Duma. They still have to go through two more readings and be considered by the Senate before President Putin signs it into law.
The outcome of this parliamentary scrutiny is beyond doubt, as President Putin’s control over Parliament is total.
These two bills introducing special measures in the economic sphere
were moreover submitted to the Duma at the initiative of the Kremlin last week.
Once in force, they will allow the Russian executive to implement a form of corporate mobilization for the benefit of the Russian military.
In an explanatory memo sent to the Duma along with the bills, the Kremlin says its offensive in Ukraine has exposed supply shortages, particularly in the repair of military equipment.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov echoed that argument on Tuesday, telling the Duma that the bills are driven by the need to support the military at a time when Russia’s economy is suffering. colossal pressure
from Westerners.
« The burden on the defense industry has increased significantly. In order to ensure the supply of weapons and ammunition, it is necessary to optimize the work of the military-industrial complex. »
When the West increases its military presence on Russia’s border, escalates the pressure with sanctions, increases its arms shipments to Ukraine, the importance of passing these bills cannot be overstated.
he added.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) effectively launched the process of integrating Sweden and Finland into its ranks on Tuesday. The 30 member countries of the Alliance, including Turkey, will now have to ratify everything.
Russia’s territorial gains in Ukraine are tangible, but come at the cost of heavy loss of material and human lives, according to Ukrainians and US and British intelligence. The failed offensive towards kyiv at the start of the war was particularly costly on both counts.
Ukraine’s defense intelligence service said at the weekend that Russian military repair factories were refusing Kremlin contracts because they had not been paid for previous services. This information cannot be validated.