Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev gestures during a press conference at the Skolokovo innovation center outside Moscow May 18, 2011. |
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday declined to say whether he will run for the 2012 presidential election.
"Such a decision shall be made when all preconditions are matured," Medvedev told a press conference in Skolkovo innovation center.
However, the president said an announcement on his decision should be expected soon.
"You will not have to wait for long. If I make the decision I will make a corresponding statement," Medvedev said.
He noted that if he runs for the president again, he would like to rely on some political parties.
"If I stand for presidency, I would like to rely on certain political powers. There is no other way," Medvedev said.
"No one stays in power for ever. And if anyone has that kind of illusion then they will end badly," he added.
The president also called himself and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin like-minded people, but stressed that "this does not mean they share all views."
"We know each other quite well. We are really like-minded people and we have very similar approaches towards to key issues regarding of the country's development," Medvedev said. "But that does not mean that I coincide with him on everything."
This is the first time that Medvedev has hosted such a big press conference in three years.