Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has agreed to head the ruling United Russia Party, whose members voted unanimously in his favor.

At a press conference Monday, President of Leader, a Moscow-based finance and construction company, Vladimir Voronin, addressed journalists with his insights on real estate perspectives for the region of Moscow in 2008.

Hundreds of pro-Kremlin youth demonstrated outside the U.S. Embassy in Moscow Monday, following the convincing victory of Dmitri Medvedev in Sunday's presidential election.

Russians go to the polls today to elect Russia's third president. Most of people are expected to vote for Putin's protege Dmitry Medvedev, which will allow Putin to retain power afterwards, when he probably takes the office of Russia's prime minister.

European observers said on Monday that Russia's presidential elections reflected the will of voters, but questioned the fairness of the polls.

The rules and procedures of Sunday's Russia's presidential election are widely considered to favor candidate Dmitri Medvedev, President Vladimir Putin's designated choice to succeed him. VOA Moscow correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports the Kremlin has framed the Medvedev candidacy in terms of stability.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged citizens to actively take part in this Sunday's presidential elections that many observers see as an easy victory for his handpicked successor.

Russians are preparing to go to the polls Sunday to elect their next president. But out of four candidates competing for the post, Kremlin-backed Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is the overwhelming favorite to win. Yet how much do the Russians actually know about the man who is likely to become their next president aside from the fact that he is supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin? Anya Ardayeva has this report from Moscow.

Russians go to the polls on Sunday for a presidential election in which the victory of Kremlin-backed candidate Dmitry Medvedev is considered a foregone conclusion. VOA Moscow Correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports that Medvedev's path toward high office has been very different from the one facing American presidential hopefuls.

Amnesty International says Russia has clamped down on political freedoms ahead of a crucial presidential election on Sunday. The Britain-based human rights organization accuses Russian authorities of targeting human rights activists, independent organizations and journalists, several of whom died under suspicious circumstances. Stefan Bos reports for VOA from Budapest.

US-based Russia specialist Dimitri Simes told a Washington audience Tuesday that fundamental disagreement over Kosovo's independence from Serbia will drive Russia and the United States even further apart. But a U.S. diplomat says there were no other choices. VOA's Barry Wood has more.

A leading human rights group has denounced what it says is a Russian crackdown on freedoms of assembly and expression ahead of Sunday's presidential election.