Putin - Time Magazine´s "Person of the Year"

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-20-2007 08:11

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This handout photo courtesy of Time magazine shows Russian president Vladimir Putin. (AFP/Time-HO)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been named Time Magazine's "Person of the Year".

The move was made for his "extraordinary feat of leadership in taking a country that was in chaos and bringing it stability."

Putin recently endorsed Dmitry Medvedev's presidential bid, and later said he would accept Medvedev's offer to serve as prime minister if Medvedev wins March's presidential election.

Many believe Putin will remain Russia's real leader, though Putin told Time magazine he will not undermine his successor.

Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles during a meeting in Moscow, 18 December 2007. (AFP/File/Dmitry Astakhov)

Vladimir Putin, Russian President, said, "I intend to exercise, within the limits of the constitution and the law only, the powers vested in the head of the government to concentrate on daily economic and social problems such as roads and housing, which concern ordinary citizens. But the key prerogatives - politics, administration, choosing personnel, and defense and foreign policy - will stay with the president and must stay within this institution of power."

Editor:Zhang Pengfei