Putin fired adviser Kozak who opposed the war: ISW revealed what this shows

The Kremlin’s decision confirms Moscow’s pursuit of maximalist military goals, analysts say.

Dmitry Kozak , a former deputy chief of staff of the Kremlin and one of Vladimir Putin’s closest advisers, has resigned after years of disagreements with the Russian leader’s policy on the war in Ukraine.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) , Kozak insisted on peace negotiations with Kyiv, and his release indicates the Kremlin’s intention to continue the military campaign.

“Putin’s decision to oust Kozak from his entourage once again shows that he and his advisors are uniting around maximalist military demands,” ISW analysts note.

Kozak was the only participant in the Security Council meeting on February 21, 2022, who opposed a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

He also brokered the initial agreements with Kyiv that would have prevented Ukraine from joining NATO. Kozak also oversaw the Kremlin’s strategy in Ukraine until 2022, after which some of his powers were transferred to Sergei Kiriyenko.

Kiriyenko’s role and the consequences of his resignation

Kozak’s departure strengthens Sergei Kiriyenko’s position in Putin’s administration. He has already assumed control of the Kremlin’s Moldovan affairs portfolio and influence over the Kremlin’s strategy in Ukraine.

According to Russian sources, Kozak is considering options for moving into business after his retirement.Read also:

The release of the Kozak

As UNIAN reported, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kozak has resigned. The politician wrote a letter of resignation of his own free will over the weekend.

In August, the New York Times reported, citing sources, that Kozak was the only official in Putin’s inner circle who openly spoke out against the war against Ukraine. That is why, immediately after the war began, Putin removed Kozak from the Ukrainian line of work and excluded him from the information agenda.

(C)UNIAN 2025