Moscow — President Vladimir Putin postponed a planned public vote on constitutional changes in April that would allow him to rule to 2036, as the country attempts to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

“We must understand that Russia, simply due to its geographical position, cannot isolate itself from the threat,” Putin said in a televised address Wednesday. “The absolute priority for us is the health, wellbeing and safety of the people. Therefore, I believe that the vote should be postponed to a later date.”..

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