For months, Russia’s chattering classes had wondered how Vladimir Putin could anoint a successor as president and still retain influence under a constitution that gives immense power to the presidency. But, for now at least, his choice seems clear.

Dmitry Medvedev, a softly spoken lawyer from St Petersburg, looks the logical man to succeed Mr Putin as president – mostly because analysts see him as a relatively weak transition figure who will take his cue unquestioningly from Mr Putin.