Putin Saw a World in Turmoil and Decided It Needs More Putin
- Coronavirus, risk of global recession, conflicts raise risks
- First Kremlin explanation of shift on plan to extend rule
Vladimir Putin
Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg
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Vladimir Putin changed his mind and backed a plan to allow him to run for two more presidential terms because of the current turbulent period in the world, his spokesman said, in the Kremlin’s first public explanation of a move that would let him rule until 2036.
“The situation in the world has become less stable,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call Thursday. He cited the coronavirus pandemic, the risks of “global recession,” numerous “acute regional conflicts” and western sanctions as among the factors that led to Putin’s decision.