Recent reports according to Arabnews suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin may soon announce his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. This move could potentially extend his rule until 2030, making him the longest-serving Russian leader since Josef Stalin.
Sources close to the presidential administration indicate that Putin might make the announcement during a conference scheduled for November.
However, the final decision rests solely with Putin, and the Kremlin has yet to comment on the matter.
Putin, who turns 71 on October 7, has been in power since the last day of 1999, when he was handed the presidency by Boris Yeltsin. His tenure has surpassed even that of Leonid Brezhnev, making him a dominant figure in Russian politics.
While Putin may not face significant electoral competition, he is grappling with a series of challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and its repercussions on Russia's relationship with the West. The conflict has led to the most significant confrontation with Western powers since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Western countries view Putin as a war criminal and dictator, accusing him of leading Russia into a conflict that has weakened the nation and united the West against it.
However, Putin and his administration see the war as part of a broader struggle against the United States, which they believe aims to dismantle Russia.
Despite speculations and statements from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov that Putin would be unbeatable if he decides to run, there has been no official confirmation.
Putin has stated that he will announce his plans only after the parliament calls the presidential election, which is due by law to be done in December.
