President Vladimir Putin said it was too early to speak on whether he would run for his fourth term in 2018, but clinging to power by all means would be unwise.
"It's only 2014 and we will have elections in 2018. What we need to do now is work, and then we will see," he said in an interview with a group of foreign and Russian journalists aired on Sunday.
"The worst and the most dangerous thing that can happen to a politician is holding on to power by any means and focusing only on this. In this case his failure is inevitable as he's always afraid of taking the wrong step," he went on. "This is not what you should be thinking about; you need to focus on the results of your work. Time will show."
When asked about his plans for retirement, Putin said he was not eager to "play tough guys in the movies," but will possibly focus on hockey within the Night Hockey League for non-professionals aged 40 and older.
"Two and a half years ago I couldn't skate at all. And now you may have seen me trying to show off sometimes. That's what I enjoy. If and when I retire, I will try to do things that I enjoy," the president said.
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