MOSCOW  His election choreographed by the Kremlin, Dmitri A. Medvedev secured a predictably commanding victory on Sunday to become Russia’s next president.

Still, though the results were never in doubt, Mr. Medvedev’s future role very much is, given that the man who anointed him, President Vladimir V. Putin, intends to remain in the government.

Mr. Medvedev, an unassuming aide to Mr. Putin who has never before held elected office, portrayed himself during a relatively listless campaign as something of a reformer, vowing to crack down on endemic corruption and promote the rule of law.

He also seemed to take a less strident stance toward the West than Mr. Putin. Mr. Medvedev’s success at adopting this platform early in his tenure will represent an important indicator of whether Mr. Putin will allow him to be more than a figurehead.