that’s assuming he doesn’t croak by then...
There is speculation that this sets the groundwork for Putin not to run for relection and for the new parliament to appoint Nikolai Patrushev’s son to be Putin’s successor without holding a general election.
It’s also an effective way for Putin to neuter Medvedev and Prigozhin.
Shoigu and Gerasimov are now aligned with Nikolai Patrushev. And the U.S. has been having back channel discussions with Patrushev throughout the entire war.