Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, Vladimir Putin’s freshly anointed successor, said in his latest speech that if he will become president of Russia, he will appoint Putin as his prime minister, thus giving the current president all he needs to continue his rule over the country even after his term ends.

In his speech broadcast live on state television today, the chairman of gas giant Gazprom talked about the need to “ensure the continuity of the course of the past eight years.'' He also said that he already asked Putin to consent to head the Russian government after the new president is elected.

"I declare my readiness to stand as candidate for the presidential elections, and I consider it crucial for our country to keep such a major post of power and authority - the post of prime minister - for Vladimir Putin," Medvedev said on state-owned television Vesti 24.

About 24 hours ago, Putin made clear his intention of backing up Dmitri Medvedev as his successor. This happened during the meeting with party leaders, including those of United Russia which won by a landslide in the recent parliamentary elections, when president Putin said that he "fully and completely" supported Medvedev's candidacy for the March 2 vote.

Now, to return the favor, Medvedev called for Putin to an agreement of principle to become prime minister.

During his speech, Medvedev praised Putin for his achievements amongst he mentioned the improving of the country’s economy, its defense posture, and global respect. Medvedev continued by naming what remains to be done under the Putin rule.

He said that the current president has the “moral right”, as Putin put it – to continue his efforts to continue what he began by improving the country's standard of living, international position, and quality of rural life.

In Medvedev’s opinion, another reason for which Putin must be the future prime minister of Russia is that, besides sharing the same ideology, he must stay at power to maintain the team he already formed.

With the support of Putin, with no other favorite in sight and with just three months before the presidential elections, Medvedev is most likely the next Russian president.

The 42-years-old is not a member of any of the four major parties in Russia: United Russia, A Just Russia, A Civil Front and the Agrarian Party. This means that he can be nominated by all four political parties.

Medvedev is the chairman of OAO Gazprom, the world's largest natural-gas producer, which has become a powerful instrument of Putin's foreign policy.