Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly made the decision to run in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for March, extending his decades-long hold on power.
The announcement was made during an awards ceremony for army personnel at the Kremlin, where Putin informed Lieutenant Colonel Artyom Zhoga about his intention to participate in the elections.
Although there has been no formal announcement from Putin regarding his candidacy, Zhoga stated that the president expressed his decision to run for the presidency.
The upcoming vote is set to take place between March 15 and 17 next year.
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While Putin has not faced any major challengers in previous elections, his decision to run again will likely solidify his continued leadership in Russia.
The news comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning Ukraine, where Moscow claims certain territories as its own.
Valentina Matvienko, the head of Russia’s upper house of parliament, emphasized Putin’s readiness to make responsible decisions in the face of historic challenges.
Despite the lack of a formal announcement, Putin’s decision to participate in the upcoming elections is expected to further shape the political landscape in Russia.
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