Vladimir Putin |
Reports Tuesday quote Mr. Putin as saying he will not change Russia's constitution so he can run for a third consecutive term. He admitted that theoretically, he could seek a third term at another time, but said he is not sure he would want to.
Mr. Putin made his comments at a meeting of Russian and German media executives in Hanover, Germany that was also attended by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
The Russian leader began his second four-year term last May after winning the election in a landslide, with about 70 percent of the vote. However, international observers said the balloting failed to meet the standards necessary for a "healthy democratic process."
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.