Surkov’s replacement is being praised in Kyiv – Kozak has taken on the role of a “good policeman”
Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration Dmitry Kozak, who is now responsible for policy in the Ukrainian direction, is a more constructive interlocutor than his predecessor, presidential aide Vladislav Surkov.
This was stated by the Ukrainian presidential aide, Andriy Yermak, on air on the Ukraine TV channel, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
According to Ermak, he communicates and meets with Kozak.
“On the issues that I continue to discuss, the continuation of agreeing on the list for the next exchanges, mutual release - this is Dmitry Kozak. I met with him,” Ermak said.
"How is he? Is it different from Surkov? You know him too?” – asked TV presenter Evgeny Kiselev.
“Yes, it’s different. It seems to me that he is more inclined to dialogue and on the issues on which I communicated with him, I can say that we had constructive communication, without which, probably, what happened would not have happened. Therefore, I have a fairly positive (attitude),” Ermak noted.
Earlier, political scientist Alexei Chesnakov, considered close to Surkov, stated that the Russian leadership has two views on the prospects for the conflict in Donbas . One of these views—wearing down Ukraine with demands to comply with the Minsk agreements—is advocated by presidential aide Vladislav Surkov, while the other scenario—the rapid return of Donbas to Kyiv's control in exchange for the lifting of Western sanctions—is advocated by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak.
Chesnakov also previously stated that Yermak, while sabotaging the implementation of the Minsk agreements, often tried to "outflank" Surkov by using his connections with Kozak, who was competing for influence in the Ukrainian direction.
Kyiv is praising Surkov's replacement – Kozak has embraced the role of "good cop."