Putin's close ally proposes him to end war in Ukraine - NYT
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Deputy Head of the Russian presidential administration Dmitri Kozak proposed to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine and begin a peace process, The New York Times (NYT) reports.
According to sources for the media outlet, after the start of the full-scale war, Kozak privately stated that he had tried to dissuade Putin from military actions.
Earlier this year, the Deputy Head of the Russian presidential administration informed his colleagues that he had presented Putin with a proposal to stop the fighting and hold peace negotiations.
In addition, Kozak urged the Kremlin leader to carry out internal reforms, including transferring the Russian security forces under state control and establishing an independent judicial system.
According to people close to the Kremlin, Kozak is the only high-ranking official in Putin's circle who openly expresses disagreement with the war, although he does not make this criticism public.
The NYT also writes that before the war, Kozak gave long monologues in negotiations with the US about "the evil and perfidious regime in Kyiv." However, within Russian government corridors, he warned of terrible consequences for Russia if the war began, particularly serious Ukrainian resistance
The media outlet notes that the Deputy Head of the Russian presidential administration's position apparently hastened the deterioration of his relationship with Putin. He has appeared less frequently in public, while another deputy, Sergey Kiriyenko, enthusiastically supported the war and partially traveled to occupied parts of Ukraine.
Kremlin insiders and a US official told the NYT that much of Kozak's responsibilities have shifted to Kiriyenko.
However, despite losing influence, Kozak has retained some access to Putin. The fact that the Kremlin leader keeps Kozak close reflects the Russian President's loyalty to his longtime associates, sources say.
Negotiations on Ukraine
Recently, US President Donald Trump announced that on August 15, he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the US state of Alaska. One of the key topics of the talks will be the war in Ukraine.
Also, according to sources from various media, it is not excluded that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may also participate in the summit.
