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WHEN ASKED this week whether he wants to retire and spend more time with his family, Vladimir Putin replied: “Don’t hold your breath.” When asked whether he will stand again as president of Russia in 2012, he said: “I will think about it.” His tantalising refusal to say no underlines just how much at home he is with national leadership as prime minister to President Dmitry Medvedev since last year – and the television skills which help keep him there as he fielded questions for four hours from a national audience in 11 Russian time zones.

Commentators speak of the Putin majority in contemporary Russia – the ease with which he commands approval ratings of about 70 per cent from ordinary citizens and decisive electoral majorities for his party. Since Mr Medvedev comes from the same political family, it is easier to understand why both men appear so relaxed about potential competition for the presidential nomination.