John Tefft
Researcher, the RAND Corporation John Tefft, who served from 2014 to 2017 the post of U.S. Ambassador to Russia, described the process of choosing a successor to Russian President Vladimir Putin. His report is published on the website of the company.
Tefft believes that Putin will be guided by several factors: economic situation, public opinion, the opinion of the security agencies and vnutrividovoi political struggle. The former Ambassador stressed that the change of power in Russia is important not only for the future development of the country, but also for U.S. policy.
Tefft writes that, whatever Putin’s choice, the U.S. government should be prepared for that. The necessity of the former Ambassador explained that Putin’s successor will have so much power and his personal beliefs may affect the interests of the United States. In addition, Tefft said that the Russian President is the commander in chief of the armed forces, and Russia is the only power able to destroy the United States with nuclear weapons. The former Ambassador believes that Putin’s successor will also be a question: to continue the previous line or to change its foreign policy. Tefft immediately notes that the refusal of Russia’s current policy is unlikely.
The Russian leader and his entourage evasively answer questions about a possible successor. So, in June, Putin said that the need to work and not look for a successor. A year ago, the Russian President noted that thinking on this issue from 2000, but the final choice will rest with the voters.
