President Vladimir Putin pledged today to give Russian voters a "free democratic choice" in presidential elections next year but gave no clues on whom he might endorse.
Answering questions at an annual news conference lasting three-and-a-half hours Mr Putin denied widespread reports that he will orchestrate a succession when his second and final term in office ends in March 2008.
Vladimir Putin:
"There will be no successor," Mr Putin told reporters in the Kremlin's Round Hall. "There will be candidates for the post of president . . . I reserve the right to express my preferences, but I will do it only during the election campaign".
A relaxed Mr Putin hailed Russia's economic might and struck a conciliatory tone in remarks about Russia's former Soviet neighbours Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia - all the subject of recent bitter disputes.
But, in remarks likely to concern European governments who depend heavily on Russian gas imports, Mr Putin for the first time commented favourably on the idea of creating an Opec-style group of gas producers.
Russia, the world's top gas producer, has recently been in talks with fellow gas powers Iran and Algeria.
"Gas Opec is an interesting idea," Mr Putin said. "We are trying to co-ordinate our efforts in third country markets. We do not intend to set up a cartel, but we will continue to co-ordinate our activities bearing in mind the key goal of serving the energy security of our customers."
The Russian president also criticised US plans for an anti-missile shield based in central Europe.