The interview that Putin gave to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, published today, convincingly demonstrates the futility of the hopes for a new restructuring, democratization, etc., that some have in connection with the expected «transfer» of power after 2024. Answering a journalist’s question about his plans for that moment, the Kremlin leader made it clear that he does not intend to go anywhere.
«It’s too early to talk about that. We still have five years of intensive work ahead of us. And with the dizzying dynamics we are currently witnessing in the world, it is difficult to make predictions. Believe me, I have a lot to do in my current capacity,» he said.
At the same time, as can be seen, the decline in popularity recorded in the results of recent polls, even by official agencies such as VTsIOM, does not worry him much. «It’s not about the percentage of votes in the elections, but about the economic realities that Russia has to face. Namely, the fall or fluctuations in prices on international markets for our traditional export goods: oil, gas, metals. Undoubtedly, there is also the influence of external constraints.»
In other words, Putin will stay as long as he deems necessary, based on «economic realities» and «external constraints,» most likely for life.
At the same time, in his opinion, he is pursuing a «very balanced, realistic policy.