Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration (PA) Dmitry Kozak submitted a resignation letter over the weekend from the post of Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of his own accord, two sources told RBC, clarifying that Kozak does not plan to remain in the state apparatus and is considering offers to transition into business.
The resignation of the 66-year-old official was also confirmed by sources of political analyst Arkady Dubnov in the Kremlin. He recalled that on February 21, 2022, at an expanded meeting of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Kozak was the only one who opposed a military solution to the conflict with Ukraine. In the early days of military actions, Kozak initiated negotiations with Kyiv, which proved fruitless.
Kozak is a long-time associate of Vladimir Putin. In 2000, he took the position of Deputy Head, later becoming the First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration. In 2004, he transitioned to work in the government. He was the President's envoy to the Southern Federal District, Minister of Regional Development, and Deputy Prime Minister. In 2020, after 12 years as Deputy Prime Minister, Kozak moved to the PA, where he oversaw relations with CIS countries.
At the end of August, it was announced that the departments for cross-border cooperation and for interregional and cultural ties with foreign countries were abolished, and a new one was created for strategic partnership and cooperation, to be overseen by the First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Sergey Kiriyenko.
Earlier, The New York Times wrote that Kozak was the only one from the PA who openly opposed the war with Ukraine.
When the information about Kozak's departure from the Kremlin is officially confirmed, it will become a unique precedent in the history of Putin's power vertical, from which such a high-ranking official leaves of his own will, noted Dubnov.