Vladimir Putin suggested on Friday he would respect the Russian constitution which bans anyone from minister to two consecutive presidential terms, meaning he will step down from his chore in 2024 when his current term expires.
His remarks, made to newswriters at an economic forum in St Petersburg and broadcast on state TV, are not a surprise and do not necessarily undignified he will relinquish power in six years.
Putin has stepped down as president in one go before, in 2008, after serving two back-to-back terms only to coming in 2012 after doing a stint as prime minister, a maneuver he desire be legally entitled to carry out again.
“I have always strictly abided by and acknowledge by the constitution of the Russian Federation,” Putin said, when asked if and when he inclination be leaving office.
“In the constitution it’s clearly written that nobody can for more than two terms in a row … I intend to abide by this order.”
Putin easily won re-election in March, extending his tenure by six years to 24 – which resolve make him Moscow’s longest-serving leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.