It is too early to discuss nominating Prime...

Putin has chaired the ruling United Russia party since 2008, but has never officially joined it.

"Putin is our leader, and this fact speaks for itself. As far as his nomination is concerned, this process is always complicated and requires more discussions and preparations," the chairman of the party"s executive committee, Andrei Vorobyov, said on the party"s official website.

Medvedev, who was Putin"s handpicked successor, has run Russia alongside the powerful premier since winning the 2008 presidential elections. He said in late February that he and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin would make a joint decision on the future of their "effective" ruling tandem.

Putin was constitutionally barred from standing for a third successive term, but analysts and media outlets have predicted he will run again in 2012, where he could face Medvedev.

Commenting during a recent annual televised phone-in question and answer session on whether he would run for the presidency

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