Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses a congress of his United Russia party held near Moscow's Red Square Dec. 17, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MOSCOW, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said here Monday that he will lead the government if First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wins March's presidential election.

    Putin made the remarks at a congress of the United Russia party, which has nominated Medvedev as its presidential candidate.

    "If citizens give a vote of confidence to Dmitry Medvedev and elect him Russia's president, I will be ready to lead the government," he said, pledging not to change the powers between the president and government.

    The United Russia officially nominated Medvedev, 42, as its candidate for next March's presidential election at the congress.

Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev addresses a congress of his United Russia party as President Vladimir Putin sits in the background in Moscow Dec. 17, 2007.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Putin said that Medvedev, also chairman of the gas giant Gazprom, is the "best choice" of candidate for the election, when he will step down due to the constitutional ban on serving a third consecutive term.

    "I believe that the choice is the most optimal, I'm certain that Dmitry Medvedev will with honor cope with the work of the supreme state post," Itar-Tass quoted him as saying.

    The pro-Putin United Russia party, which occupies the majority of seats in parliament, launched its presidential election campaign at the congress, which was attended by some 2,000 delegates.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) and First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev walk as they attend a congress of United Russia party held near Moscow's Red Square, Dec. 17, 2007.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Last Tuesday, Medvedev pledged to continue Putin's policies following the incumbent president's nod to his nomination by pro-Kremlin parties, and hailed Russia's economic progress and growing importance in the international arena under the leadership of Putin.

    Medvedev, a former law professor and close ally of Putin, was promoted to the position of presidential chief of staff in 2003 and took the post of first deputy prime minister in 2005, following in Putin's footsteps.

    Medvedev was reappointed to the same position on Sept. 24, 2007,in a government reshuffle, and was placed in charge of the economy and social development affairs covering public health, education, housing and agriculture.

U.S. says Putin's decision to lead gov't is Russia's internal affair

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to lead the government after March's election is Russia's internal affair.

    "This is going to be an internal political decision that the Russians are going to have to make," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.   Full story

News Analysis: What makes Putin choose Medvedev as successor

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (L) in Moscow's Kremlin, in this Mar. 7, 2007 file photo.   (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MOSCOW, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Russia's ruling party, the United Russia, on Monday officially nominated former law professor and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, as candidate for next March's presidential election.

    Putin, who was barred by the Constitution from serving a third consecutive term, has voiced his strong support for the nomination on the same occasion by accepting Medvedev's invitation to take the post of prime minister after he steps down, given Medvedev wins in the election.  Full story

Putin gives up lawmaker's mandate

    MOSCOW, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has given up his lawmaker's mandate in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said on Thursday.

    "Vladimir Putin has given up his lawmaker's mandate to Sergei Kapkov, who was on United Russia's regional list and ran his election campaign in the Magadan region and the Chukotka Autonomous Area," secretary of the CEC Sergei Konkin was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.  Full story

PM: Proposal that Putin become premier reasonable

Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov. He said that the proposal that Russian President Vladimir Putin become prime minister after the end of his presidential term is reasonable. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MOSCOW, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The proposal of Russian President Vladimir Putin becoming prime minister after the end of his presidential term is reasonable, Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said on Wednesday in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk.

Putin's nominated successor proposes Putin as PM

    MOSCOW, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Dmitry Medvedev, nominated as a candidate for next March's presidential election, has proposed Russian President Vladimir Putin as prime minister after he leaves the Kremlin, while vowing to maintain policy continuity.

Putin supports Medvedev's running for president

    MOSCOW, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday he would support First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to run for president, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.