Russia’s Putin says hasn’t decided if he will run in 2018 election

Mikhail Svetlov | Getty Images Europe | Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin talks during the plenary session of Russian Energy Week on October 4, 2017 in Moscow, Russia.

Speaking at an energy forum in Moscow, Putin said presidential hopefuls would have to announce their decision to run in late November or early December.

If Putin decides to run, he is widely expected to win a landslide victory in the first round of the vote, because he will face no strong challenge.

A Russian court sentenced opposition leader Alexei Navalny to his third jail term this year on Monday, disrupting plans by the long-time outspoken Kremlin critic to campaign before Russia’s coming election.

His current 20-day term in jail means he will miss a campaign rally planned in Putin’s hometown of St Petersburg on Oct. 7 – the Russian leader’s birthday.