Dmitry Kozak, Longtime Putin Confidant Who Reportedly Opposed Ukraine War, Resigns

"Dmitry Kozak -- a longtime confidant and close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin who reportedly opposed the Ukraine war in its early days -- has resigned from the government, the Kremlin said. Kozak, 66, who served as deputy head of the Kremlin's powerful Presidential Administration, opted to leave on his accord, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on September 18."

"Gravel-voiced and often well-coiffed, the Ukrainian-born Kozak rode Putin's coattails into the Kremlin when Putin became president in 2000, and served in multiple high-level roles over the years, including as deputy prime minister for nearly 12 years. He served as the Kremlin's point man organizing the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, which Kremlin saw as a sign of Russia's rightful return to the world stage."

Dmitry Kozak resigned from the Kremlin, leaving his post as deputy head of the Presidential Administration, and left on his own accord, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Several reports said Kozak declined an offered position as the top official for the northwest federal district. Kozak entered the Kremlin when Putin became president in 2000 and served in multiple high-level roles, including nearly 12 years as deputy prime minister. He organized the 2014 Sochi Olympics, was sanctioned after Russia seized and annexed Crimea, joined the Presidential Administration in 2020, and acted as a frequent interlocutor with Western envoys. Analysts interpret his departure as a sign that dissent over the war in Ukraine is unwelcome.

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