Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says he would like to run for a second term as president, but he says a race against his predecessor, Vladimir Putin, would not be good for the country.

Mr. Medvedev told the Financial Times newspaper Monday that he and Prime Minister Putin represent the same political force, to a large extent, and that a competition for the presidency between them would be divisive. He denied that there is a growing rift between himself and the prime minister.

Mr. Putin previously served two terms as president before Mr. Medvedev took over the position in 2008. Neither man has officially declared his intentions for the March 2012 elections, although many expect Mr. Putin to reclaim the presidency after Mr. Medvedev's term expires.

The Russian president also said he would like to see U.S. President Barack Obama re-elected next year to lead the United States for another four-year term. Mr. Medvedev said relations between the two countries have improved during the Obama administration.