Russia’s Putin fires his longtime ally and chief of staff Sergei Ivanov
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday fired Sergei Ivanov, his chief of staff and one of his closest allies, in the most high-profile power reshuffle at the Kremlin in years.
The Kremlin’s press office issued Putin’s order to “relieve Sergei Ivanov of his duties.”
The statement was followed by footage of a meeting of Putin, Ivanov and the new chief of staff, Anton Vayno. Despite the clear appearance that Ivanov had been forced out, Putin insisted he was making the move at Ivanov’s request as he had been too long in the job.
“I remember well our agreement that you had asked me not to keep you as chief of the presidential administration for more than four years and that is why I understand your desire to choose another line of work,” Putin said. Ivanov, 63, thanked Putin for his “high assessment of my work during the past 17 years.”
Former KGB officer Ivanov, a former defence minister and deputy prime minister, has been seen as one of Putin’s closest allies and was considered a likely successor before Putin chose Dmitry Medvedev to run for president in 2008.
Putin appointed Ivanov a special envoy for transportation and environment, a stunning downgrade for the man who has been considered one of the most influential people in Russia.
Ivanov was also taken off the Security Council, Russia’s top security body.
RUSSIA DEPLOYS NEW MISSILES INTO UKRAINE
Russia has deployed its advanced S-400 air defence missile system to annexed Crimea, Russian news agencies reported on Friday, citing a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry.
The announcement comes two days after Putin promised to take counter-measures after what he said were clashes between Russian forces and Ukrainian saboteurs in northern Crimea.
Ukraine denies the clashes took place.