Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (L) in Moscow's Kremlin, in this March 7, 2007 file photo. Putin on Monday backed the candidacy of Medvedev to become Russia's next president. Putin said he "completely and fully" supported a proposal by four political parties -- including United Russia, which won a Dec. 2 parliamentary election -- to nominate Medvedev. [Agencies]