A campaign is underway in Russia to coronate Russian President Vladimir Putin as the nation’s czar, according to a September 9 report by Ukrainian daily, Eizvestia.com.

The Moscow-based movement called “For the Coronation of the Russian President” is collecting signatures for its petition both online and at its offices across Russia.

The organization’s stated mission is to “re-institute a monarchy in Russia and to appoint Vladimir Putin to the position of czar” of the nation. “We believe Putin has done so much for Russia and deserves to govern Russia until the end of his days, and then hand power over by inheritance to one of his sons or daughters.”

The statement continues: “We invite all concerned people to contribute to the consolidation of the outstanding achievements in the economy that have occurred in recent years in Russia, thanks to the wise leadership of our great chief and leader Vladimir Putin.”

Russia was ruled by monarchs from the mid-ninth century until 1917 when Emperor of all Russia Nicholas ii abdicated. Soon after, Nicholas and his family were executed as part of the Russian Revolution that destroyed the czarist autocracy and brought about the creation of the Soviet Union.

Not all Russians favor the idea of their nation returning to the days of monarchy. “Why not restore the pharaoh while we’re at it?” a Russian expatriate originally from Rostov-On-Don told the Trumpet. “I, for one, believe in meritocracy, that your abilities and talents, rather than your relationships, should define your position.”

The organizers of the campaign to coronate Putin say they will deliver the signed petition to officials in Moscow for consideration once they have collected the desired number of signatures.

Several weeks before the earliest tensions of the Ukraine crisis began, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry identified Vladimir Putin as the “Prince of Rosh” discussed in Bible prophecy. In the time since then, Putin’s power has increased and his popularity among his people has soared. He has increasingly wielded that power as like a mighty monarch. The movement pushing for coronation remains quite small, and is unlikely to produce results. And since Putin’s grip on Russian power is already tight, even if he were crowned, such a move would accomplish little beyond symbolism. Nevertheless, this news adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting a monarchical component of the reign of Vladimir Putin—“Prince of Rosh.”

To understand the truth regarding this kingly leader, read “Vladimir Putin Is the Prophesied ‘Prince of Russia.’”