Putin Warns West Of No Easy Way Out With Medvedev

March 8, 2008 10:00 a.m. EST

Novo Ogaryevo, Russia (AHN) - President Vladimir Putin warned on Saturday that the relations between the West and his successor, Dmitry Medvedev will not be easier.

"I do not think that with him the partnership will be more simple," Putin said after talks just outside Moscow after meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday, according to the AFP news agency.

Putin's successor, Medvedev was elected as a president in a landslide victory earlier this month and he will take over the Kremlin in May.

In his controversial victory, Medvedev had secured 70.2 percent of the vote in Sunday's election and has acknowledged that he will continue the course of his mentor and leader, Putin.

"This is a special day for our country," Medvedev said in a statement in front of his supporters gathered for a Red Square rock concert, according to The Financial Times.

"We have chosen a course for a long time ahead, and we have a chance to . . . cement stability and carry on down the path we have been travelling for the past few years."

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Merkel expressed to Putin to develop a positive relationship between Moscow and EU powers as the countries have debated over democratic rule and security concerns in Russia.

"Germany and Russia, Europe and Russia, are interdependent. We must find a way to go forward together. There are many things to do," Merkel was quoted saying by BBC.

"She is looking forward to learn more about Dmitry Medvedev's stated plans to entrench the rule of law and to modernize the Russian state and economy," German government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm told AFP.