Kosygin, who had been the chief negotiator with the First World during the 1960s, was hardly to be seen outside the Second World after Brezhnev consolidated his position within the Politburo, but also due to Andrei Gromyko's dislike of Kosygin meddling into his own ministerial affairs.
Kosygin, som havde været den ledende forhandler med den første verden i 1960'erne, blev næsten aldrig set udenfor den anden verden efter at Bresjnev konsoliderede sin position inden for politbureauet, men også på grund af Andrej Gromykos modstand mod at Kosygin blandede sig i hans egne ministerområder.