Putin says can't rule out running for re-election in 2018
VALDAI, Russia. Sept 19 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he couldn't rule out running for re-election as president in 2018.
Putin made the statement during an exchange with former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon at a meeting of the Valdai discussion club.
First Putin asked Fillon to say "briefly" whether the latter would run for president of France at the next election. "I wouldn't answer this question because you didn't answer a similar question," said Fillon.
Someone reminded Putin that political analyst Nikolai Zlobin had put such a question to him and that he hadn't answered. "Did you ask me that? I didn't hear it," Putin said.
"Will you answer if I do?" the Russian leader said to Fillon. "We'll see," said the ex-prime minister.
"I can't rule this out," said Putin. "Nor can I," answered Fillon.
