Is The Kremlin's 'Gray Cardinal' Leaving Putin?

FILE PHOTO. © RIA Novosti / Alexei Nikolsky / Pool

RT: Long-time Putin aide Vladislav Surkov leaving Kremlin ‘over Ukraine course shift,’ reports claim

Russian media is all abuzz with reports that Vladislav Surkov, former Deputy PM, the ex-deputy head of the presidential administration and Vladimir Putin’s long-time influential aide, has exited government service.

The reports cite Surkov’s close associate Alexey Chesnakov who, writing on his Telegram Channel, said Surkov left his post, as an advisor to President Vladimir Putin, "in connection with the change of course in policy towards Ukraine." He noted that Surkov himself promised to reveal the details and talk about his future career plans next month.

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WNU Editor: This blog has been following Vladislav Surkov for years, and IMHO he was the main strategist who helped Putin become Russian President .... Vladislav Surkov, The Real Genius Behind Putin's Rise To Power (October 13, 2011). More here .... The Man Behind The Men In Power In Russia (November 6, 2011). On a side note, this is what he sees is the future of Russia, and one that I think Putin has been following for the past year .... Top Putin Aide: Russia Preparing For '100 Years (200? 300?) Of Geopolitical Solitude' (May 13, 2018). As to rumours of him leaving .... they have been around for a while. But if he is leaving, it will not be due to a change in Ukraine policy. He will be leaving because of Putin's changes in the constitution, and his desire to rule Russia until the day he dies.There is a great deal of backlash against Putin within Russia's political establishment, and Vladislav Surkov's rumoured departure is a reflection of that.