Mikhail Bogdanov, a seasoned Russian diplomat and long-time aide to President Vladimir Putin, has resigned from his position as deputy foreign minister, as reported by the country’s news agency.
The 74-year-old, who also served as Putin’s special envoy to the Middle East and Africa, vacated the post at his own request, reportedly citing personal reasons, according to a source quoted by the news agency.
His departure was officially confirmed by a presidential decree issued on Wednesday.
Bogdanov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1974 during the Soviet era. He immediately embarked on a diplomatic career as a regional specialist, which led him to numerous capitals worldwide.
He held significant diplomatic posts, serving as the Russian ambassador to Israel from 1997 to 2002 and as ambassador to Egypt from 2005 to 2011. Under President Putin, he further served as a special presidential representative to the Middle East since 2012, and as a special representative to Africa since 2014.
