Sobchak Ready to Withdraw From Russia Election

Russian TV journalist Ksenia Sobchak, who announced her intention to stand in the country’s presidential election, is ready to withdraw from the presidential race in case of a union with certain political forces, she told reporters on Saturday. “I sincerely think it unjust that Alexei Navalny is excluded although I do not share all his views and I do not like everything he does. However, I globally believe that we have some common goals —both me, him [Navalny] and other politicians,” Sobchak said, TASS reported. Alexei Navalny is a Russian lawyer, political and financial activist. He is a critic of corruption and of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I am ready to unite [with them]. I have already made some important statements and I am set to do this until my withdrawal,” she added. “This leadership is alien to me. I think it important to do business.” Russia will vote in the next presidential election in March 2018. Among candidates who have said they will stand for election is current President Vladimir Putin.