Putin ally openly speaks out against war in Ukraine - NYT
Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
A close ally of the Russian president refused to carry out orders during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, publicly demonstrating his disagreement and proposing alternative paths, including ending the war and implementing internal reforms, according to a report by The New York Times.
Refusal to follow orders and consequences
Dmitry Kozak, a former deputy head of the Russian presidential administration, refused to carry out the country’s leader’s directives on the second day of the invasion of Ukraine.
According to The New York Times, Kozak said he was prepared to be arrested or executed, openly expressing his disagreement with the goals of the invasion.
The conversation with Putin took place on speakerphone, making other senior officials witnesses to the act of defiance.
Attempts at a diplomatic settlement
From the very beginning of the invasion, the Russian leader’s ally was engaged in negotiations on a ceasefire, including contacts with Ukrainian and US representatives.
In January 2022, he took part in an eight-hour meeting in Paris in an effort to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Kozak had also warned of the negative consequences of the invasion, including the possible accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO, and cautioned about sanctions and a deterioration of Russia’s geopolitical position.
Internal reforms and economic initiative
After the conflict, Kozak retained an office in the presidential administration but proposed radical domestic changes: ending the war and carrying out liberal reforms, including ensuring the independence of the judiciary.
These initiatives ran counter to the plans of the Russian leadership and heightened tensions in his relationship with the president.
Personal security and status
Despite his disagreement, Kozak has continued to remain in Moscow, relying on personal ties and his experience of working with the Russian leader since the 1990s as a guarantee of a certain level of safety.
Russia is preparing contacts with the US to clarify how Donald Trump’s peace plan has changed following its coordination with Ukraine. At the same time, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov noted that in recent weeks, US negotiators led by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff had held consultations on the plan.
Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine have prepared a video address to Vladimir Putin ahead of his Direct Line, scheduled for Friday, December 19.
