Moscow, December 14 (RHC)-- Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his annual news conference on Thursday he will run in the 2018 presidential election as an independent candidate, but expects to have support of forces sharing his views on the country’s development.

According to TASS news agency, Putin said it will be a self-nomination and that he expected have support of the political parties and public organizations that share his view on the Russia’s development and that trust him.

"I expect a widespread support of the Russian citizens," he  added.

Putin won the 2012 presidential election as a candidate from the United Russia party.

The Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) will set a date for the presidential election at is December 15 meeting.

Russia’s forthcoming election is due on March 18, 2018. The Federation Council is to declare the date officially between December 8 and 15.