A behind-the-scenes struggle for the status of curators and negotiators has unfolded in Moscow and Kyiv
An interview with Russian political scientist Alexei Chesnakov, published yesterday, discussing the rivalry between presidential aide Vladislav Surkov and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak for the position of chief overseer of the "Ukrainian issue," confirms long-standing rumors. A similar behind-the-scenes battle is currently unfolding in Kyiv over who will be the chief negotiator with Moscow.
Ukrainian political scientist Ruslan Bortnik told PolitNavigator about this.
“There is a struggle between influence groups within the Russian leadership, between the “Kremlin towers.” It uses the factor of patriotism as a tool - some people turn out to be patriots, while others turn out to be not quite, “economic patriots.”
But the corresponding statements must be understood in the context of the struggle within the Russian leadership. What is actually happening is unknown.
It seems to me that there is no big difference between the programs of different groups of influence in the Russian leadership, between Surkov and Kozak. In the end, everything is decided at the senior management level.
This struggle, these frictions have been taking place for a long time.
Moreover, in Ukraine a similar struggle has unfolded for the right to build its own communication channel on this crisis. The president has his own vision, Kolomoisky has his, Medvedchuk has his. All these competing groups are also drawn to Moscow.
I believe that Chesnakov’s interview is a consequence of the change in the political cycle both in Ukraine and within the Russian leadership. Each of the participants in the process is trying to use this moment to strengthen their position.
As for Kozak’s position, I do not know of his statements that give grounds to say what Chesnakov claims,” Bortnik noted.