Global General

Medvedev says he won't challenge Putin

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-06-20 15:49

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev gives an interview to the Financial Times newspaper in St. Petersburg June 18, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW - Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev says he wants a second term, but won't stand against Vladimir Putin.

Medvedev said in an interview with the Financial Times broadcast Monday by Russian television stations that he and 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. Putin, who shifted into prime minister's seat in 2008 after serving the constitutional limit of two consecutive terms, is seen as more powerful and is widely expected to reclaim the job.

Medvedev said he would announce his decision later. He added that he and Putin sometimes have different approaches, but denied that there was any kind of rift between them.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin chat during an informal meeting at the presidential residence at Gorki outside Moscow in this June 11, 2011 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]