MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has inched closer to declaring his intention to seek re-election in next March's vote, saying he will weigh the decision based on public support. Speaking at a meeting with volunteers Wednesday, Putin was asked if he would run and said that public trust would be a key factor in his decision. He said he would decide "shortly" if he will run in the March 18 vote, adding — to massive applause — that he would take the audience's support into account.

Can we draw the following conclusion?
Putin told a crowd that he would be a candidate in the march election.

OPT:
(1). Yes
(2). It's impossible to say
(3). No