Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, left, walk before a government meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Government Press Service)
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says Congress, in attaching a human rights provision to trade legislation, is “making a big mistake.” (Associated Press)
** FILE ** Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov (left), President Vladimir Putin (center) and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (bottom right) watch the Victory Day parade in Moscow on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, left, stroll at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Government Press Service)
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev poses Tuesday with children in front of a store he visited on one of the Kuril Islands. Mr. Medvedev pledged to boost aid for four impoverished islands, ownership of which has been disputed by Tokyo since World War II. (Associated Press)
Dmitry Medvedev became Russia's prime minister on Tuesday, a job Vladimir Putin just relinquished. Mr. Putin is again serving as his nation's president. He struck back against critics in parliament irritated by failed policies and slow progress during Mr. Medvedev's four-year term as president. (Ria-Novosti via Associated Press)