Russia scheduled March 17 for its next presidential vote, setting the stage for President Vladimir Putin to announce his widely anticipated run at a fifth term in office that could keep him in power until at least 2030.

Kremlin watchers say it is a foregone conclusion that the Russian leader, who has been either president or prime minister since 1999, will extend his stay in office. Even before he launched his war in Ukraine he had begun laying the groundwork to ensure he sweeps to victory with virtually no opposition.