‘I believe there is no other option,’ he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed he will run in presidential elections slated to be held in March of next year.
Mr. Putin, who made the announcement at an award ceremony for veterans of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, will be seeking a fifth term as Russia’s leader.
“I have had different thoughts at different times, but now it’s time to make a decision,” he said, answering a question posed by a decorated combat veteran.
“I believe there is no other option,” he added in comments broadcast on national television.
“That’s why I plan to run for the position of president,” Mr. Putin confirmed at the military ceremony, held at the Kremlin’s Georgievsky Hall on Dec. 8.
A victory in the upcoming poll would allow the longstanding leader, who first became president in 1999, to remain in power until 2030.
A day before his surprise announcement, Russia’s Federation Council (the upper house of parliament) voted to hold the election on March 17 of next year.
“With this decision, the electoral cycle has effectively begun,” Council Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko said after the motion was adopted…
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