Vladimir Putin to seek re-election for 2018 Russian presidency

Vladimir Putin has said he would seek another term as Russian president in next year’s election.

He made the announcement during a speech to workers at a car factory in the Volga city of Nizhny Novgorod.

"I will put forward my candidacy for the post of president of the Russian federation," he said. "There's no better place or opportunity to put my candidacy forward. I'm sure that everything will work out for us."

Polls indicate that he would comfortably win the election if he were to run for re-election.

Putin, 65, has been in power since 2000, either as president or prime minister. If he wins what would be his fourth presidential term in March, he would be eligible to serve until 2024.

Russia's main opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, has been formally barred from standing, because he was found guilty of embezzlement - a charge he claims was politically motivated.