Russia's Putin says to decide soon if he will run for re-election

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MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he would decide very soon whether to run for re-election next year, something he is widely expected to do and comfortably win.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at the Railway Congress in Moscow, Russia November 29, 2017. Sputnik/Alexey Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS

Putin, 65, has been in power, either as president or prime minister, since 2000. If, as expected, he contests and wins what would be a fourth presidential term in March, he would be eligible to serve another six years until 2024.

In a glitzy event in Moscow attended by young people, a host asked Putin if he would be running for re-election in March.

The Russian leader, who polls regularly show enjoys a popularity rating of around 80 percent, asked the audience if they supported him running in the elections. “Yes,” the audience shouted back, applauding him loudly.

“I understand that this decision must be taken in the near future and it will be taken in the near future,” Putin told the audience.

“And when taking it I will of course take into account our conversation today and your reaction.”

Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Jack Stubbs; Writing by Dmitry Solovyov/Andrew Osborn; Editing by Christian Lowe

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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