Russia bars pro-peace candidate from presidential poll

Yekaterina Duntsova (R), a 40-year-old independent politician who declared her intention to run in the 2024 presidential election, holds flowers and poses with supporters outside the Central Election Commission in Moscow on December 23, 2023. Russia's Central Electoral Commission on December 23, 2023, rejected an application by Yekaterina Duntsova, a candidate calling for peace to stand in next year's presidential elections. © Arden Arkman, AFP

A Russian politician calling for peace in Ukraine hit a roadblock in her campaign Saturday, when Russia’s Central Election Commission refused to accept her initial nomination by a group of supporters, citing errors in the documents submitted.

Former legislator Yekaterina Duntsova is calling for peace in Ukraine and hopes to challenge President Vladimir Putin, promoting her vision of a “humane” Russia “that’s peaceful, friendly and ready to cooperate with everyone on the principle of respect.”