Vladimir Putin Reveals Decision on Future as Russia’s President

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that he will run in 2018 to be re-elected for another six-year term as his nation’s leader.

Putin announced his decision during a speech to car factory workers in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod, in the Volga district. He told workers that he could not imagine a better setting to announce his candidacy, according to The Associated Press.

“I will put forward my candidacy for the post of president of the Russian Federation,” Putin said, as reported by CNBC.

Earlier in the day, Putin was asked by a Russian presenter if he was ready to announce his intention to run again. However, he declined to make a definitive statement.

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“My question to you is: If I take such a decision then will you and people like you support this decision?” Putin asked, according to Bloomberg News.

“This decision will be taken soon and when I do I’ll keep in mind this conversation and your response,” he added.

The 65-year-old Russian leader has been in power since 2000. He is widely expected to prevail in the March 18 election, as his approval ratings currently surpass 80 percent.

Putin has had two stints as Russia’s president, and one as its prime minister. He served as president from 2000-2008, but was unable to run a third time because of constitutional limits. He remained in power, though, as the country’s prime minister, before being elected president again in 2012.

On Tuesday, veteran Russian journalist Andrei Kolesnikov hinted on his Twitter account that Putin would be making an announcement about his potential candidacy.

Putin’s public announcement came one day after the International Olympic Committee announced that it has banned the Russian Olympic team from participating in the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeonchang, South Korea.

According to an IOC statement, the historic decision was the result of an extensive investigation revealed an “unprecedented systematic manipulation” of anti-doping measures.

The committee has stated that Russian athletes who qualify for the Olympics will be able to compete in Pyeonchang as neutral athletes.

Along with the ban, the IOC reportedly imposed a $15 million fine on the Russia Olympic Committee.

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It’s possible that the ban will serve to increase Russian support for Putin’s candidacy “by uniting voters around his message: The world is against us,” Reuters reported.

Russian leaders have decried the IOC’s decision, claiming that it is part of a larger conspiracy to keep Russia back.

“There can be no doubt that this is part of the West’s overall policy of holding Russia back,” said Konstantin Kosachyov, head of the upper house of the Russian parliament’s foreign affairs committee.

“They are targeting our national honor … our reputation … and our interests. They (the West) bought out the traitors … and orchestrated media hysteria,” he added.

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