Putin Hints at 2012 Comeback

Vladimir Putin dropped his strongest hint yet last night that he may seek to return to his country's top job in 2012. In an interview with Japanese media, Russia's president-turned-PM said there was no decision yet on whether he or Dmitry Medvedev would run for president at the end of Medvedev's term. Putin said the two would decide together.

Medvedev took over as Russia's head of state a year ago, but as the Guardian reports, analysts and ordinary Russians believe Putin remains the dominant figure. Medvedev also extended the presidential term from four years to six, leading many to speculate he was paving the way for an extended encore by Putin. The prime minister said he knows Medvedev “will look at his political future based on the interests of the country." (More Vladimir Putin stories.)