Based on reports as of December 7, 2025, Dmitry Kozak has indeed resigned from his position as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office.
#DmitryKozak #Putin #Ukraine
This is a significant event involving one of the longest-serving members of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.1 Below are the key details surrounding his departure:1. The Timeline
Resignation Date: President Putin signed the executive order relieving Kozak of his duties on September 18, 2025.2
Recent Revelations (November 2025): While the resignation happened in September, investigative reports from late November 2025 revealed that Kozak handed Putin a personal letter alongside his resignation.3 In this letter, he reportedly criticized the 2022 invasion of Ukraine in “very strong terms.”42. Reasons for Resignation
The resignation appears to be the culmination of a long-standing rift regarding the war in Ukraine:
Opposition to the War: Kozak was reportedly the only high-ranking official in Putin’s inner circle to openly oppose the full-scale invasion during the critical Security Council meetings in February 2022.5
Sidelined Influence: Following his initial opposition, Kozak—who had previously managed the “Ukraine portfolio” and the Minsk Agreements—was stripped of these responsibilities.6 His role was effectively taken over by Sergei Kiriyenko (First Deputy Chief of Staff), who is seen as more hawkish and aligned with the President’s current war strategy.7
Power Struggle: By 2025, Kozak had lost most of his real leverage within the Kremlin.8 His departure is viewed by analysts not as a sudden purge, but as the final exit of a “realist” who no longer fit into the current wartime administration.93. Significance & Implications
End of an Era: Kozak was known as the “Iron Chancellor” and had been with Putin since their days in the St. Petersburg mayor’s office in the 1990s.10 He was a “fixer” for difficult problems (e.g., the Sochi Olympics, Crimean integration).11 His exit signals the removal of one of the few remaining figures in the Kremlin who had the standing to voice independent or dissenting opinions to Putin.12
Consolidation of Power: His departure completes the transfer of domestic and near-abroad policy control to technocrats like Kiriyenko, who are focused on executing the war effort without questioning its strategic validity.
Current Status: Unlike other defectors or dismissed officials who face immediate reprisals, Kozak’s exit appears to be a “soft” landing.13 Reports indicate he is currently traveling to Israel for medical treatment and is expected to transition into a private business role rather than facing criminal prosecution.14Strategic Takeaway: Kozak’s resignation confirms that there is no longer room in the Kremlin for the “old guard” who view the war as a mistake. The administration has fully pivoted to a structure where loyalty to the war effort is the primary metric for survival.
Would you like to explore how this shift in the Presidential Administration might impact future negotiations or Russian domestic policy?
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— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Dec 7, 2025
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