Kathrine Frich
He is one of the few senior Russian officials that privately opposed to the invasion.
He is one of the few senior Russian officials that privately opposed to the invasion.
Kozak Urges Putin to End War
Dmitry Kozak, deputy head of Vladimir Putin’s administration, has reportedly asked the Russian leader to stop the war in Ukraine.
According to the New York Times, Kozak presented a plan to end hostilities along with proposals for internal reforms.
He is one of the few senior Russian officials that privately opposed to the invasion and has long questioned its costs.
Trump-Putin Meeting in Alaska
Kozak’s reported appeal comes just days before Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Alaska on Aug. 15.
This will be their first in-person talks since Trump returned to the White House.
The Biden administration is also considering whether to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to join the discussions on the same day.
A Longtime Ally Opposes the War
Kozak, a veteran Kremlin insider, had warned Putin before the February 2022 invasion that Ukraine would mount fierce resistance.
After the war began, he made an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate a truce.
His stance sets him apart from most of Russia’s top leadership, who have publicly supported the war effort without question.
Loss of Influence Inside the Kremlin
Before the invasion, Kozak was a key figure in managing Ukrainian affairs, but much of his authority has since shifted to Sergei Kirienko.
Kirienko now oversees Russia’s occupied territories in Ukraine.
Despite losing influence, Western officials say Kozak has maintained informal contacts with foreign representatives, looking for arguments that could persuade Putin to change course.
Putin’s Conditions for Peace
Since March, Putin has refused an unconditional ceasefire that Ukraine supported after the U.S. proposed it.
Instead, Moscow has demanded that Ukraine give up its NATO ambitions and withdraw all troops from occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
These conditions remain non-negotiable for the Kremlin.
Failed Peace Talks
Russia repeated its demands at peace talks in Istanbul in May and again during a third round in July.
That July meeting ended in less than an hour, underscoring the deep stalemate between Moscow and Kyiv.
Diplomats say there is little sign either side is willing to compromise on core issues.
A Controversial Ceasefire Proposal
Trump has said he will discuss a ceasefire plan with Putin that would involve Kyiv ceding eastern territories to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected the idea, warning it would only give Moscow time to regroup and launch a new offensive.
The proposal is likely to be a key flashpoint at the Alaska meeting.
