Russian President Vladimir Putin has unexpectedly dismissed his chief of staff Sergei Ivanov. Ivanov has been part of Putin’s trusted inner circle for many years. The 63-year-old has now been made a special representative for environmental and transport issues.
A statement from the Kremlin said that Putin had “decreed to relieve Ivanov of his duties as head of the Russian presidential administration”, but gave no reason. Ivanov’s deputy since 2012, Anton Vaino, has been appointed as his successor.