Putin Praises Zubkov, Ribs Bush

Russian president won't try for third term—at least now
Posted Sep 15, 2007 1:44 PM CDT
Putin Praises Zubkov, Ribs Bush
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a meeting with foreign political analysts at his residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Friday, Sept. 14, 2007. President Vladimir Putin said newly appointed Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov was among at least five people who could hope to succeed him next...   (Associated Press)

Vladimir Putin heaped praise upon Viktor Zubkov, the obscure bureaucrat he appointed this week as Russia's new prime minister, at a meeting with foreign journalists yesterday, the Guardian reports. The choice of Zubkov as PM over other highly ranked favorites for the post has created suspicion that he may want a weak one-term president in order to return to power in 2012.

Putin dashed rumors that he would change the constitution to seek a third term as president, but said he wishes to keep a role in Russian public life. He also sharply criticized US foreign policy, especially in Iraq, and chided the US government, saying: "I don't interfere in your politics, please don't interfere in ours."

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