Kremlin intends to penalize Putin's ally
In a surprising turn of events, Dmitry Kozak, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration in Russia, has called for an end to the war in Ukraine and initiated a proposal for peace talks. However, this move might have led to his sidelining from key positions and Putin's inner circle.
Kozak, who until late August 2025 supervised the now-abolished Departments for Interregional and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and Cross-Border Cooperation, is reportedly being considered for the position of Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Northwestern Federal District. Yet, discussions about his possible resignation from the Presidential Administration to remove him from Putin’s inner circle are ongoing.
The New York Times reported this information, citing Western and Russian sources, suggesting that Kozak's calls to halt the war against Ukraine further confirm the Kremlin's unwillingness to end military operations. Analysts from ISW have echoed this sentiment, stating that reports of a potential dismissal of a high-ranking Kremlin official due to calls to cease hostilities in Ukraine indicate the Kremlin's reluctance to end the conflict.
Kozak's insistence on the immediate cessation of military actions, the launch of negotiations, and the limitation of the role of law enforcement agencies has reportedly led to a loss of influence. This is particularly evident in the new body replacing these departments, the Department of Strategic Cooperation, where Sergei Kiriyenko has taken over most of Kozak's functions.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has presented demands that effectively deny Ukraine's sovereignty. Lavrov stated that the Kremlin's goal in Ukraine is not the occupation of certain territories, but political control over the entire state. This goal, as stated by Lavrov, is a direct contradiction to Ukraine's sovereignty.
In a recent interview, Lavrov also made it clear that the Kremlin has no intention of abiding by Ukraine's laws on language and religion, which fall under the internal jurisdiction of an independent state. These demands, if implemented, would significantly alter Ukraine's cultural and linguistic landscape.
Despite these developments, Kozak has privately advised Putin not to invade Ukraine, according to unnamed sources. It remains to be seen how these events will unfold and whether Kozak's calls for peace will lead to a resolution in the ongoing conflict.
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