Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin receives interviews after the eighth annual national question-and-answer session broadcast live on television and radio in Moscow, capital of Russia, Dec. 3, 2009. Domestic issues including job security, pensions and people's livelihood have dominated the eighth annual national question-and-answer session of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin with the Russian public, which was broadcast live on television and radio on Thursday.(Xinhua/Zhao Jialin) Photo Gallery>>>

    MOSCOW, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Thursday he did not support his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko in Kiev's upcoming January presidential elections.

    Although the two prime ministers had "a good working relationship," said Putin, "I do not support Yulia Tymoshenko in the Ukrainian presidential elections. I cooperate with Yulia Volodymyrivna (Tymoshenko) as the prime minister of the Ukrainian government."

    When asked whether he himself would run for Russian president in 2012, Putin did not rule out the possibility and said he would consider the matter.

    "I will think about it. There is still time," said Putin during a live phone-in session on Thursday that has lasted for more than three hours.

    Putin also said his relationship with President Dmitry Medvedev remained good, which had helped them work as a team.

    Both Putin and Medvedev have earlier indicated they might bid for the presidential elections in 2012, while Putin said he would not compete against Medvedev, his hand-picked successor, but they might reach an agreement prior to the presidential polls.

    The eighth annual national question-and-answer session of Putin with the Russian public is expected to be watched or listened to by people from some 160 countries around the world.