MOSCOW—Russian President Vladimir Putin said he didn't exclude
running for a fourth term, in a move that would pave the way for
him to remain in power until 2024.  Mr. Putin, who turns 61 next
month, made the comment in a back-and-forth with former French
Prime Minister François Fillon at a conference of international
policymakers and journalists Thursday in Valdai, Russia.  Mr.
Putin asked Mr. Fillon if he planned to run for president in
France. "I would not answer that question, because you did not
answer it," the former French prime minister replied, pointing
out that the Russian president had evaded a similar question
earlier in the day.  "It was asked? I didn't hear it," Mr. Putin
said. "If I answer, will you answer?"  "We'll see," Mr. Fillon
said.  "I wouldn't exclude it," Mr. Putin said.  "Me neither,"
Mr. Fillon replied.  This isn't the first time that Mr. Putin
has suggested he will run in Russia's next presidential
election, which takes place in 2018. Asked the same question by
foreign newspaper edi