Breaking News: Vladimir Putin Set to Remain in Power Beyond 2024, Say Exclusive Sources

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made the strategic decision to run in the upcoming March presidential election, securing his power until at least 2030. This move comes as Putin believes he must navigate Russia through one of its most challenging periods in decades, according to six anonymous sources who spoke with Reuters. After successfully defusing an armed rebellion led by the Wagner mercenary group earlier this year, Putin has focused on solidifying support among his core base, which includes the security forces, the armed forces, and regional voters outside of Moscow. To bolster his campaign, Putin has increased defense, weapons, and overall budget spending while making numerous public appearances throughout the country.

“The decision has been made – he will run,” confirmed one of the sources familiar with Putin’s planning. Another source, also privy to the Kremlin’s thinking, verified that a decision has indeed been made and that Putin’s advisers are preparing for his candidacy. Three other sources also confirmed that Putin has chosen to run in the March 2024 presidential election. These sources have chosen to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of Kremlin politics.

According to one of the sources, a carefully orchestrated hint regarding Putin’s candidacy will be given within the coming weeks, aligning with a report in Kommersant newspaper from last month. While many diplomats, spies, and officials have long speculated that Putin intends to stay in power indefinitely, this is the first concrete confirmation of his plans to seek re-election. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin has yet to comment on the matter, adding that the official campaign has not yet been announced.

At 71 years old, Putin has already served as president longer than any other Russian leader since Josef Stalin, surpassing Leonid Brezhnev’s 18-year tenure. Diplomats believe that Putin’s approval ratings, currently at 80%, along with his support from the state and state media, make it unlikely for any serious rival to threaten his chances in the upcoming election. Furthermore, there is minimal mainstream public opposition to his continued rule.

Nevertheless, Putin faces an array of significant challenges. The war in Ukraine has led to a major confrontation with the West, resulting in the most substantial sanctions against Russia since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. These sanctions have had a severe impact on the Russian economy, marked by inflation and a devalued ruble. Additionally, defense spending is expected to make up nearly one-third of the country’s total budget expenditure in 2024, as outlined in the government’s draft plans.

The most direct threat to Putin’s governance came in June, when Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the powerful Wagner mercenary group, initiated a short-lived mutiny. However, two months later, Prigozhin died in a plane crash, allowing Putin to further consolidate his control over the remnants of the Wagner force using the Defense Ministry and the National Guard.

While the West portrays Putin as a war criminal and dictator responsible for Russia’s aggressive actions, such as annexing Crimea and supporting separatists in Ukraine, the Kremlin contends that it is engaged in a broader struggle with the United States. Russian elites argue that the United States aims to fracture Russia, exploit its natural resources, and subsequently turn against China. According to one of the sources, Russia is facing significant opposition from the collective strength of the West, making major changes in leadership impractical.

However, some Russians view the war as exposing the vulnerabilities of post-Soviet Russia. Jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny asserts that Putin’s leadership has led the country down a hazardous path, fostering a corrupt system that will ultimately result in chaos rather than stability. Oleg Orlov, a prominent human rights campaigner, shares similar sentiments, stating, “Russia is going backwards. We left Communist totalitarianism but now have returned to a different kind of totalitarianism.”

Guy Faulconbridge, the Moscow bureau chief for Reuters, has played a crucial role in covering Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Before his tenure in Moscow, Faulconbridge led coverage of Brexit as the London bureau chief from 2012 to 2022. On the night of Brexit, Faulconbridge’s team achieved a historic triumph by being the first to report the news of Brexit to the world and the financial markets. With a degree from the London School of Economics and over 14 years of experience covering the former Soviet Union, Faulconbridge is a fluent Russian speaker. He can be contacted at +447825218698.

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