Medvedev keen to run again … but not if Putin standing for president

Russia president Dmitry Medvedev yesterday said he wants a second term in office, but will not stand against his long-time mentor, prime minister Vladimir Putin.

Mr Medvedev said that he and Mr Putin wouldn't face one another in the election next March because their rivalry would hurt the country.

Both men have said repeatedly that they will decide later which of them will run for president in the vote.

Mr Putin, who shifted into the prime minister's seat in 2008 after serving the constitutional limit of two consecutive terms, is seen as being the more powerful and is widely expected to reclaim the job. Mr Medvedev said yesterday that he would announce his decision later.

He added that he and Mr Putin sometimes have different approaches, but denied that there was any rift between them.

Mr Medvedev's statements challenging Mr Putin's legacy have stoked speculation a bout tensions in the ruling tandem, but some observers see it merely as an orchestrated attempt to prevent Mr Medvedev from looking like a lame duck.

Mr Medvedev also said that he has enjoyed working with United States president Barack Obama.

"I can tell you openly - I would like Barack Obama to be re-elected president of the United States," he said.

Mr Medvedev also strongly reaffirmed Moscow's opposition to a western-backed draft United Nations resolution on Syria condemning its government for its crackdown on protesters.