If the goal is to get a Russian Monarchy without worrying about creating the idealized western "constitutional monarch" ruling over a liberal western democracy.
Then I am sure Putin could of pulled it off, by replacing the Presidency with a Tsar in 2008 (Assuming there was one legitimate candidate; well even if there was not Putin can “show nominate/decide” on one). This could of also be spun in multiple different positive ways, Putin last Russian President, Great Restorer of Russian Monarchy, True Russian Statesman giving up supreme power (Ignoring the fact the Prime Minister would be heavily enhanced in power, and term limits removed in this timeline), etc…..
All of this is basically, what Rum Medeniyeti appears to be hinting at. Though, have to ways to do this change Putin's personnality (lots of potential butterflies) or remove Medvedev and/or anyone else Putin might consider being able to put in the Presidency as a "place holder" for him (less butterflies). Basically, create a situation where Putin feels he has no one that he can rely on to hold the Presidency and not fight against him, so he removes it for a figurehead Monarch.