Russia's Medvedev vows to pursue Putin policies

By Christian Lowe

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Dmitry Medvedev was elected as Russia's next president after a vote on Sunday that will preserve the power of his mentor Vladimir Putin but which opponents said was unfair.

Medvedev, a 42-year-old former lawyer who has worked at Putin's side since the 1990s, will take over the trappings of the presidency from his patron in May but it was still unclear which of the two men would really be in charge.

Showing off the double act that will be at the helm of the vast, nuclear-armed country, Medvedev and Putin walked side by side out of the Kremlin gates and climbed onto the stage at a victory concert on Red Square.

Speaking to reporters later at his election headquarters, Medvedev said his presidency would be a "direct continuation" of Putin's eight years in office.

"I think that it will be a direct continuation of that path which is being carried out by President Putin," Medvedev told a news conference when asked about his future course.

He put the stress on joint work with the 55-year-old Putin who will become prime minister, but he said as president he would keep control over foreign policy to defend Russia's interests by all legal means.

Putin has progressively taken a more assertive line in foreign policy, accusing the United States of starting an arms race, denouncing its plans to build part of a missile shield in eastern Europe and criticizing NATO's plans for expansion.

Medvedev will be inaugurated on May 7.