Putin ‘is preparing to announce he will stand for re-election’ 

Vladimir Putin is preparing to seek six more years in the Kremlin in an attempt to extend his already 23-year reign as Russia’s president or prime minister, it is alleged.

Despite his disastrous war, the dictator has been in campaign mode for the first time since pre-pandemic in recent days, visiting distant regions and even posing for selfies with adoring fans.

In recent weeks, he was seen taking selfies and planting loving kisses on the heads of young girls in Dagestan, and inducting another child to the Kremlin as part of a tour of his presidential office.

At a forum in Moscow, he was shown drawing a smiley face, in stark contrast to the times of Covid, when he used his trademark long table for infrequent meetings.

There will be elections next year – and Putin would be 77 if he served another full term as Russia’s president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shows 8-year-old Raisat Akipova from Derbent his desk at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets 8-year-old Raisat Akipova, from Derbent, at the Moscow Kremlin

Fatima Tagirova, 13, said she waited seven hours to meet Vladimir Putin, and when he finally came, the dictator kissed her before taking a selfie

Putin is harassed by fans in Derbent, Dagestan

This tactic is seen as a prelude to a call from the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation to beg him to rise again, despite the conflict in Ukraine and questions about his health.

The patriotic foundation was established by a presidential decree from Putin to raise money for war veterans. It is hardly independent, as it is currently headed by Putin’s niece Anna Tsivileva, 51, the wife of a Siberian governor.

With a request to be nominated for another term, the heads of the fund will turn to [Putin]perhaps along with those who received effective help from [the president],” reported Vyorstka, a Russian news outlet.

Putin’s plea for six more years would then be approved by the ruling United Russia political party.

The next Russian election is scheduled for March 2024, and a campaign announcement from Putin could be made early amid suspicions that Wagner mercenary army boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, has strong political ambitions and will try to take part.

Putin has been the president of Russia since 1999, except for a four-year stint as prime minister from 2008-2012.

Even then, as Dmitry Medvedev assumed the presidential role, it was common knowledge that Putin was pulling all the strings in the Kremlin.

Putin today received a resounding endorsement from his Belarusian counterpart and ally, Alexander Lukashenko.

‘Look, sociological research is being done everywhere [in Russia],’ he said.

‘[There is] 74 percent trust Putin.

Do you doubt he will win when he goes to the polls? Don’t doubt if he maintains that level of confidence.’

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Vladimir Putin pictured during his trip to Derbent

The Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation was established by a presidential decree from Putin to raise money for war veterans. It is hardly independent, as it is currently headed by Putin’s niece Anna Tsivileva, 51 (pictured), the wife of a Siberian governor

Although Russia reportedly maintains a democratic electoral process, Putin’s critics say he cannot lose as all his political enemies have been killed, imprisoned or forced into exile.

With the exception of Wagner chief Prigozhin, and to some extent imprisoned Putin foe and anti-corruption lawyer Alexei Navalny, no other Russian political candidate has a significant platform thanks to the Kremlin’s firm grip on the media.

It is widely believed that Putin has suffered from cancer and is rumored to be showing signs of the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.

Due to the pandemic and its aftermath, he has been extremely careful when meeting people, with many still having to quarantine for one to two weeks before seeing him.

His sanity has been questioned over his decision to send hundreds of thousands to their deaths in an “avoidable war.”

He is rumored to use body doubles, especially in situations where the president is seen close to large crowds.

His travels outside of Moscow have increased recently, including near the war zone, although critics suggest these were made by doppelgängers.