Days after being replaced as Russia's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu encountered a delay while attempting to enter a Chinese government building, reportedly due to issues with his security pass. Shoigu, who had played a key role in spearheading Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, was unexpectedly replaced by economist Andrei Belousov on May 12th. As a result, Shoigu received an appointment as secretary of Russia's Security Council, which many view as a demotion from his previous high-profile position.

Accompanying Putin on a state visit to China, where the Russian leader held talks with his ally Xi Jinping on Thursday, Shoigu found himself unable to gain automatic access to the political power center, according to Russian newspaper Kommersant. The paper's correspondent, Andrei Kolesnikov, revealed that the organizers of the trip were dissatisfied with Shoigu's pass, causing him to wait for several minutes before the issue was finally resolved in his favor. Kolesnikov also noted that at least 10 of Shoigu's colleagues were granted entry while he waited.

Eventually, Shoigu was granted access and participated in the talks alongside Putin, sitting to the leader's left. However, Kolesnikov questioned the significance of Shoigu's absence from the larger meeting, signaling a potential shift in his role. Russian state media reported Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov describing the meeting as the most important of the trip.

Putin's decision to replace Shoigu with Belousov following his fifth-term inauguration as president has stirred speculation about the country's economic alignment with defense efforts. Independent Russian news outlet The Bell highlighted the symbolic nature of the change and suggested that defense-related spending is now prioritized. The outlet further emphasized that in a war of attrition, economic managers are just as crucial as soldiers. Shoigu has taken over the position previously held by former director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), Nikolai Patrushev, whom Putin appointed as a Kremlin aide.

As Shoigu navigates his new role within Russia's Security Council, his encounter in China serves as a reminder of the changing dynamics within the Russian government and the potential impact on the country's defense strategy.