To Russia now, and a series of debates ahead of next month's presidential election got underway Monday night. They aim to provide the candidates with a platform to present their policies and aims ahead of the March 18th election. While seven candidates will do battle in the first television debate later tonight, none of the debates will involve the incumbent president, Vladimir Putin, who has refused to participate. The country's Central Election Commission said Putin's representatives would instead present his manifesto over regional media.