Russian President Vladimir Putin has opened up—albeit cautiously—about the future of the Kremlin after him, admitting in a state-backed documentary that he is "always thinking" about succession. The remarks come as Putin, now 72 and the longest-serving Russian leader since Stalin, continues to dominate the country’s political stage with no clear successor in sight.

The comments were broadcast on Sunday during a state TV special marking 25 years of Putin’s rule, titled “Russia, Kremlin, Putin, 25 Years”. The film revisits his journey from KGB operative to the commanding force of Russian politics since he was handed power by Boris Yeltsin on New Year’s Eve in 1999.

“I always think about it,” Putin said when asked about life after his presidency. “Ultimately, the choice is for the people, for the Russian people. I think that there should be a person, or rather several people, so that the people have a choice.”

While his words hinted at a potential leadership transition, there was no indication that Putin intends to step down anytime soon. In fact, Russia's 2020 constitutional changes—crafted under his watch—could allow him to stay in office until 2036.

Speculation around Putin’s eventual successor has long swirled among Kremlin watchers, but no clear heir apparent has emerged. Officially, if the president becomes incapacitated, current Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin would temporarily assume presidential duties under the Russian constitution. But many believe that, in practice, any real transition of power would be tightly managed from within Putin’s inner circle.

Despite mounting pressure from the West and a prolonged war in Ukraine, Putin remains firmly in control of Russia’s levers of power—political, military, and economic. Analysts say that even his public musings on succession may be more about maintaining control over the narrative than signaling any actual exit plan.

As Russia eyes upcoming elections and navigates increasing isolation, questions about the post-Putin era continue to loom—but the president himself seems in no rush to answer them definitively.


By WafricNews Desk.