Putin Dismisses Longtime Ally Sergei Ivanov from Special Representative Post

Presidential Decree Issued

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, officially dismissed his longtime ally, Sergei Ivanov, from his position as special representative for environmental protection, ecology, and transportation. The dismissal was announced via an official decree, marking a significant change for one of Russia's most prominent political figures.

Reason for Dismissal

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Sergei Ivanov personally requested to be relieved of his duties. The decree announcing his dismissal was issued less than a week after Ivanov turned 73 years old. Russian civil service regulations typically mandate retirement at 65, with possible extensions up to 70. However, a 2021 amendment to Russia's civil service law grants the president the authority to approve public service beyond the age of 70 for high-level appointees such as Ivanov, allowing Putin to retain trusted personnel past the mandatory retirement age.

A Career Spanning Decades

Sergei Ivanov has had an extensive and influential career within the Russian government, marked by a close association with President Putin. His past roles include:

• Defense Minister (2001-2007)
• Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office (2011-2016)
• Deputy Prime Minister
• A long career in the Soviet-era KGB and the FSB security service, holding the rank of retired colonel general.

Putin appointed Ivanov to the special representative role in 2016, following his departure as Chief of Staff.

Continued Influence

Despite his dismissal from the special representative post, Sergei Ivanov is reported to have retained his position as one of the 13 permanent members of Russia's influential Security Council. This indicates that he will continue to hold a role in high-level strategic discussions within the Russian Federation.