Overview

• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Kozak resigned at his own request, and a presidential decree has now formally relieved him of his duties.
• Multiple outlets have reported that Kozak privately opposed the 2022 full-scale invasion and helped craft an early peace framework that Putin rejected.
• The Institute for the Study of War assesses that senior officials pushed Kozak out after disagreements over Ukraine policy, signaling commitment to continue the war.
• Kozak had already ceded key responsibilities to First Deputy Chief of Staff Sergei Kiriyenko, consolidating Kiriyenko’s authority in the administration.
• Russian reports say Kozak submitted his resignation over Sept. 13–14 and is weighing a move into the private sector.