Current Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has just submitted new legislation that will change the nation’s presidential term from four to six years. Speculation abounds that this move signals former presidential strongman Vladimir Putin may be set to take the reins again. What does this mean for Russia and the world?

The new legislation sent to the Duma, parliament’s lower house, will also extend the terms of legislators in the Duma from four to five years. According to a Medvedev aide, the mandate extension will not apply to the president’s current term.

Both moves, if approved, will significantly increase the power of both the ruling United Russia party and its true leader, Putin, who is currently prime minister.

At the end of Putin’s second term in office he appointed his close friend Medvedev to succeed him, virtually guaranteeing Medvedev’s victory due to Putin’s widespread popularity, and securing his own power by ushering in someone who would heed Putin’s wishes. “There is little doubt that Putin remains the most powerful politician and makes all the major decisions,” says Masha Lipman, a political analyst with the Carnegie Moscow Center.

The Russian business daily Vedomosti cited an unnamed source close to the ruling administration as saying that Medvedev’s proposal could lead to early elections and was part of a broader plan for Putin’s comeback—which could take place next year.

According to Agence France Presse, Putin can become president again because a constitutional ban on holding the position more than twice in a row does not prevent a later return to office.

The move would be “a coup d’etat” to ensure the presidency is returned to Putin, says opposition political commentator Yulia Latynina, who has condemned the move.

Putin last week ordered the United Russia party to ensure that Medvedev’s proposals were passed, Associated Press writer Steve Gutterman reported.

Putin has marshaled the return of Russia to great-power status, and he is not about to become hands-off. Under Vladimir Putin’s leadership—whatever his title—we are witnessing a historic transformation take place before our eyes.

Bible prophecy shows that Russia’s resurgence will be a catalyst for the emergence of a unified European superstate—and subsequently contribute to an enormously destructive world war. For more information on what the Bible says about Russia’s rise to power, request your free copy of Russia and China in Prophecy.