Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he plans to step down from the Russian presidency once his current term expires in 2024. 

In remarks to reporters, Putin said that he would respect the Russian constitution, which prohibits anyone from serving more than two consecutive terms as president, Reuters reported.

He previously served two back-to-back terms as president, and stepped down in 2008, although he returned to the office in 2012. He won reelection earlier this year.

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In winning reelection in March, Putin extended his tenure until 2024, making him the longest serving leader in Moscow since former Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, who reigned for three decades. 

“I have always strictly abided by and abide by the constitution of the Russian Federation,” he said, according to Reuters. “In the constitution it’s clearly written that nobody can serve more than two terms in a row. … I intend to abide by this rule.”

Putin remains popular in Russia, in no small part because of his vow to return Russia to global prominence following the tumult of the aftermath of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union.