Moscow, Dec 8: Russian President Vladimir Putin would seek a new six-year term in elections in March next year.
Putin, who has run Russia both as president and prime minister for the past 18 years, made the long-expected announcement during a visit to an automobile factory in Nizhny Novgorod, east of Moscow, on Wednesay.
“I will offer my candidacy for the post of president of the Russian Federation,” he said.
In case of a victory, he will stay in office as head of state for six years, from 2018 to 2024, and that would make him the longest serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin.
