Kathrine Frich
Two of the world’s most recognisable leaders face very different futures.
While Vladimir Putin appears to be positioning himself to rule Russia for decades to come,
Donald Trump has acknowledged that the US Constitution will not allow him to extend his presidency beyond a second term.
Trump accepts limits
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on a recent trip from Japan to South Korea, Trump confirmed that he cannot legally pursue another run after completing his second term.
“If you read it, it’s pretty clear,” he said. “I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad.”
His remarks followed months of speculation that he might try to find a way around the two-term rule.
Supporters have circulated “Trump 2028” merchandise, and political strategist Stephen Bannon has publicly discussed the idea of a third term.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a long-time ally, told reporters that there is no possible path to extending Trump’s time in office.
“I don’t see the path for that,” he said at the Capitol.
Johnson explained that he had spoken directly with Trump and that the president “fully understands the legal restrictions.”
The law is clear
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1951, limits presidents to two terms.
Repealing or altering that rule would require a new constitutional amendment, a lengthy process that must pass both houses of Congress and be ratified by the states.
Johnson said the Republican Party would instead focus on making the most of Trump’s remaining time in office.
“We’re going to deliver for the American people, and we’ve got a great run ahead of us, he’ll have four strong years,” he said.
Trump did not rule out staying involved in politics once his term ends. “Based on what I read, I guess I’m not allowed to run,” he said.
“So we’ll see what happens.” He praised several potential successors, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, calling them “strong candidates for the future.”
Putin’s long plan
In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no sign of preparing for retirement.
Reports from Moscow and Beijing suggest that he intends to remain in power until the age of 97, extending his leadership well into the middle of the century.
According to a report citing a private exchange between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two men discussed life expectancy and longevity.
Xi reportedly said, “Earlier, people rarely lived to 70, but these days at 70 you are still a child.”
Putin replied, “Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become.”
The conversation was reportedly overheard by Chinese officials, who later attempted to restrict the spread of details about it.
Russian investigative journalist Ilya Davlyatchin said in a recent documentary that Putin aims to stay in power until 2050, by which time his son Ivan would be old enough to run for president.
“We even know the age Putin wants to live to, it is 97 years of age,” he said.
Questions of succession
Putin has never publicly confirmed having children, though he has long been linked to former gymnast Alina Kabaeva, believed to be Ivan’s mother. Images of the boy have circulated online, even though his existence has never been officially acknowledged by the Kremlin.
Former speechwriter and political analyst Abbas Gallyamov said it is possible that one of Putin’s daughters could succeed him instead.
“It could be one of Putin’s daughters… absolutely,” he said.
Maria Vorontsova, 40, is a medical researcher focused on ageing, while Katerina Tikhonova, 38, leads a scientific institute working on technology development.
Gallyamov noted that both women have slowly become more visible in public life. “They spoke twice at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum,” he said.
“He made Katerina Tikhonova co-chair of the commission on import substitution. She can be promoted literally in three months, the official time of the election campaign is enough. I am not saying that this is a ready-made scenario. In fact, it contains many, many disadvantages.”
Two systems, two futures
The contrast between Trump and Putin highlights two political systems that operate under very different rules.
In Washington, power is limited by law and tradition. In Moscow, it is defined by personal control and the ability to rewrite the rules.
While Trump prepares for an eventual exit dictated by the Constitution, Putin appears intent on staying in the Kremlin for as long as possible, shaping Russia’s future far beyond the normal limits of leadership.
Sources: Daily Star, AFP, Reuters, Ilya Davlyatchin via Telegram documentary.
