Vladimir Putin Will Step Down as Russia's President, Space War is Better Alternative than Nukes
Russia's Vladmir Putin says he does not want to rule Russia for life but his run for presidency will depend on personal feelings and mood of the country. Despite refuting his interest to govern Russia for a long period, Putin does consider adding another six-year term to his name. The rising tensions between Russia and other countries have also prompted calls for better cooperation with space as an alternative investment than nuclear weapons.
Putin, who has served as the country's prime minister or president since 2000, shared in an interview with a Russian state news agency that running will rely on his and the country's mood. He also claimed with Tass that it would be detrimental for Russia's future is he stays in office past 2014 according to The Guardian. Russia's top official also delved on well-known topics like the region's deteriorating relations with the United States. He thinks that Russia is getting punished for being assertive and strong over the Ukrainian tensions.
"Take a look at our millennium-long history. As soon as we rise, other nations immediately feel the urge to push Russia aside, to put it 'where it belongs', to slow it down," Putin shared.
As Russia and the United States hit a new low in their relations, cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev, urges both countries to commit to space investment and fruitful cooperation for the International Space Station instead of focusing on war. Artemyev told RT that if both countries could issue their consent and coordinate then better space explorations can be achieved. Humanity can better move forward.
"Both Russia and the US have technical capabilities [to move into deep space], but there's no understanding that we need this. Of course, it's easier to start a war and pump a lot of money into it than invest into the space industry," the cosmonaut said.
Artemyev goes as far to say that the International Space Station (ISS) can be considered as a "diamond of international cooperation." The tensions between the West and Russia do not reach up there.
"Space unites us all," he goes on to say, "more space projects that would make the people understand that there's no need for confrontation."