Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the notion of human immortality, stating that while science — especially artificial intelligence — can significantly expand life expectancy, “everything has an end; only God is eternal.” He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with India Today TV ahead of his two-day visit to India.
Responding to a direct question on whether immortality is achievable, Putin said he believes technology can improve longevity but not eliminate mortality. “We can extend longevity of life, 100%. I am sure we can,” he said, citing historic gains in healthcare. “Seventy-seven years ago, the average lifespan in India was 31 years; now it’s about 70. Infant mortality has been cut four-fold.”
Putin added that AI-driven drug development and medical technologies would further accelerate life-extension breakthroughs, yet he reiterated: “Nevertheless, everything comes to an end.”
The viral Beijing conversation
Global curiosity about Putin’s views on longevity stems from an unscripted hot-mic exchange he had with Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on September 3, 2025, in Beijing during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The private conversation, captured inadvertently on live Chinese state media, spread rapidly online.
In that clip, Putin and Xi discussed life-extension science and organ transplantation — the latter a sensitive subject in China due to human rights concerns. Putin later confirmed to reporters that the leaders were speaking about advances in medicine that could enable longer, active lives.
Why the clip drew global interest
The candid exchange offered a rare window into the personal reflections of two of the world’s most influential leaders, contrasting sharply with their formal public image. The presence of Kim Jong Un — silent but observant — added another layer of intrigue, fuelling global debate about how top geopolitical figures privately view the future of human longevity.