It seems that Medvedev has tired of the trappings of power alone:
Medvedev, a lawyer by training and instinct, offers perhaps the only realistic hope of turning Russia around, but he can't operate freely while Putin is still effectively in charge. Seemingly aware of this, Medvedev has, in recent weeks, taken steps to distance himself from his mentor and might be setting the stage to force him out of government.
It is too soon to say that Medvedev represents a white knight to reform Russia. When will we learn to stop counting on a single man to rescue Russia?
But against Putin's Reds, Medvedev could be leader of the new Whites. If Medvedev is out to oust Putin, this could get ugly.
