Newswise — CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Feb. 29, 2012 — Allen Lynch, a politics professor in the University of Virginia's College of Arts & Sciences, is available for interviews about Russia's March 4 presidential elections.

Lynch is an expert on Russian politics and is the author of the new book, "Vladimir Putin and Russian Statecraft." His other books include "How Russia Is Not Ruled" and "Does Russia Have a Democratic Future?"

Lynch predicts a first round win for Putin Sunday.

He can comment on the current state of affairs in Russian politics and foreign policy. He can offer unique insight into how the formative experiences of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin affect the man he is today.

Lynch is the Hugh S. & Winifred B. Cumming Memorial Chair in International Affairs and the director of the office of research at U.Va's Center for International Studies. He is the former director of U.Va's Center for Russian and East European Studies and has appeared as an expert on Russia in various national news outlets.