VLAD’S VOW TO STAY PUT IN KREMLIN
‘I am going nowhere’
VLADIMIR Putin has vowed to go on and on as Russian leader.
The Kremlin boss, 65, insisted he has no plans to retire and relinquish his firm grip on power.
He said: “I am not going anywhere, and I don’t have such thoughts.”
The Russian president, hit by the Salisbury poisoning scandal, said it was too early to take his pension.
Putin recently criticised Chinese business tycoon Jack Ma for planning to retire when he reaches 55.
When the pair appeared at an economic forum Putin asked him: “You’re younger than me. Are you really going to retire with your level of energy?”
Earlier this year Putin won a new six-year term as Russia’s leader.
He turns 66 next month and will be 71 if he serves a full term.
The constitution currently bans him from seeking another term.
Mr Putin has been under pressure recently following the Novichok attack on Sergei Skripal in Salisbury. Last week, he claimed two Russian suspects wanted by British police are innocent tourists.
He denied claims they were members of Russia’s intelligence service.
Meanwhile, a wave of protests have been staged in Russia over plans to raise the retirement age.
It will rise from 60 to 65 for men, and from 55 to 60 for women.
With life expectancy low there, many workers fear they will have no time to enjoy retirement.
False alarm: Page 10