Russian President Vladimir Putin will contest another presidential term in 2018. He declared his election plans at a meeting with veterans and workers of the automobile plant GAZ.

“Yes, I will run for the president of the Russian Federation,” Putin said. “Russia will move only ahead and in this advance nothing and nobody will stop it”.

“Certainly, the foundation is always laid by people like you, the toilers in the broadest meaning of the word, comprising workers, scientists, engineers, designers, teachers and doctors,” he emphasized, adding such people “are not just the backbone of our country, but they are our country, they are Russia.”

“With active participation of people like you, we will solve any, even the most challenging, tasks we face,” Putin told the rally.

Vladimir Putin’s current term expires on May 7, 2018.