Speaking of Russia’s prime minister, Putin says he has not yet decided whether he will return to the presidency in 2012, when Dmitry Medvedev’s term expires:

Asked whether he would run again for president, Putin said: "My term expired and I thought Medvedev was the best person to replace me and I backed him.

"In 2012, we will think together and will take into account the realities of the time, our personal plans, the political landscape and the United Russia party and we will take the decision," Putin told academics and reporters from the Valdai discussion group at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.