為「一輩子的領導人」鋪路
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed sweeping constitutional changes to redistribute power within the Russian government, a move that could signal his intention to assume a political position that would allow him to stay at the wheel after his presidency ends.
俄羅斯總統普丁提議大幅度修憲，以重新分配俄國政府內部的權力，此舉表示他可能打算在總統結束任期後，繼續擔任其他職務，以延續政治權力。
sweeping(adj.)大刀闊斧的、影響廣泛的=extensive=broada sweeping victory 大獲全勝;壓倒性的勝利=a landslide victoryredistribute(v.)(尤指為了更公平而)重新分配redistribute wealth重新分配財富assume=take (over) 接管;擔任(職務)stay at the wheel=stay in power=stay at the helm繼續掌權
In his annual state-of-the-nation speech on Wednesday, Putin announced his wish to amend the constitution to shift power from the presidency to the parliament, and to expand the powers of the prime minister as well as parliament.
普丁在周三的年度國情咨文中宣布希望修憲，將總統權力轉移到國會，並擴大總理和國會的權力。
state-of-the-nation speech國情咨文amend(v.)修訂、修正、修改(法律)=rewrite=reviseamendment(n.)修正條文
Putin suggested that lawmakers could name prime ministers and approve cabinet members nominated by the prime minister.
普丁也提出修憲讓國會議員可以任命總理，並審核總理提名的內閣成員，
This would curtail the authority of the president, who currently holds the right to make the appointments.
此舉將削弱總統的權力，因為現行制度下，總統仍握有內閣任命權。
curtail(v.)制止、減少、縮減、限制=reduce=limit=restrictappoint(v.)任命appointment(n.)任命
The Russian leader also called for upgrading the status of the State Council, a body he created in 2000 to advise the president, but one that now has little influence.
普丁還呼籲提高國務院的地位，國務院是他在2000年創立的機構，目前是國家元首的顧問機構，影響力甚微。
A couple of hours after the address, Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned, and Putin quickly replaced him with a low-profile tax official, Mikhail Mishustin.
普丁發表國情咨文後不到幾個小時，總理麥維德夫便辭職，普丁迅速指派新總理，由知名度不高的稅務官米舒斯汀接任。
replace A with B用B取代Alow-profile(adj.)低調的;默默無聞的
Analysts say the proposed constitutional reforms would pave the way for Putin to retain his influence over Russian domestic and foreign policy well past the end of his term in 2024.
分析者指出，普丁提議憲法改革是為了2024年總統任期結束後鋪路，企圖保留對俄羅斯國內和外交政策的影響力，
pave the way for~為…鋪路term(n.)任期
Putin could step back into the role of prime minister, which he occupied from 1999 to 2000 and from 2008 to 2012, or he could take a leading position at the State Council.
屆時，普丁可能會改任總理，如同他曾在1999-2000年和2008-2012年擔任總理，或領導國務院。
Many Russians might see Putin’s proposed constitutional reforms as a positive change, as opposed to a sophisticated political plot.
許多俄國人可能認為普丁提議的憲法改革是正面的改革，而非複雜的政治陰謀。
as opposed to~而不是=rather thansophisticated(adj.)(人)世故的;老練的;精密的;複雜的political plot政治陰謀
A survey by Russia’s state-funded pollster VTsIOM indicated that 45% of the respondents regard the shakeup as Putin’s genuine desire to change the existing power structure.
俄羅斯國家民調機構VTsIOM進行調查指出，有45％的受訪者認為普丁提議大幅修憲展現出有意改變現有政治權力結構的誠意。
respondent(n.)(民調)回覆者genuine(adj.)真誠的;真實的genuine leather真皮
However, opposition leaders such as Alexei Navalny said the changes are not the kind that people are anticipating.
但反對派領導人納瓦尼表示，這並非人民所期待的修憲，
the opposition (party) 反對黨the ruling party 執政黨anticipate(v.)期望;期待;預期
Putin is looking to “remain a lifelong, ultimate leader” and run Russia as “property” divided between himself and his backers, Navalny tweeted.
納瓦尼在推特上寫道，普丁希望「擔任終生、終極的領導者」，並將俄羅斯作為自己和黨羽瓜分的「財產」來經營。
(which is) divided between A and B 被A和B瓜分