"Russian People Will Firmly Support Putin" Blessing
Putin: "China's Remarkable Development Over Several Years, Enviable"
Chinese President Xi Jinping made headlines by personally visiting Moscow, Russia, to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and offering words of encouragement that Putin will win next year's presidential election. Xi visited Russia shortly after securing his third term and expressed support for Putin's fifth-term victory ahead of next year's election, leading to speculation that Putin's ambition for lifelong rule may grow stronger.
According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 20th (local time), during his visit to the Kremlin in Moscow, President Xi said, "I understand that there is a presidential election in Russia next year," and added, "I am confident that the Russian people will continue to firmly support President Putin."
TASS reported that President Putin smiled faintly upon hearing Xi's election encouragement through an interpreter. In response, Putin congratulated Xi on his third term and showed closeness by calling him a "dear friend."
With Xi confirming his third term and visiting Russia for the first time, his statement expressing confidence in Putin's victory in the upcoming fifth-term election has sparked speculation that Putin's preparations for a fifth term are now underway. Although Putin led the 2020 constitutional amendment in Russia, which paved the way for his lifelong rule, he has not yet officially announced his candidacy for a fifth term.
The Russian constitution originally stipulated that the same person could not serve as president for more than two consecutive terms. However, the 2020 constitutional amendment excluded the current or previous presidential terms from this count, thereby legalizing Putin's bid for a fifth term.
The Russian presidential election is scheduled for March 17 next year, and from Putin's perspective, he must conclude the war in Ukraine and achieve results before then. CNN reported that the prolonged war in Ukraine, partial mobilization, and extended Western sanctions against Russia have led to ongoing economic difficulties, raising concerns within Putin's regime about a potential decline in approval ratings.
Meanwhile, since becoming Russia's third president in 2000, Putin has served two four-year presidential terms, then as prime minister from 2008 to 2012, and following the 2012 constitutional amendment, two six-year presidential terms, ruling for over 20 years in total.
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