Medvedev breaks ranks with Putin over Libya

Russia adjusted on Tuesday to a shift in its politics after President Dmitry Medvedev for the first time broke ranks with Vladimir Putin by slamming the premier’s comments on the Libya conflict.

In an unexpected dispute that shattered three years of harmony in Russia’s ruling tandem, Medvedev publicly rebuked Putin for comments comparing the UN resolution that allowed air strikes on Libya to a medieval call to crusade.

Putin said the resolution was flawed and an example of an increasing trend of US military intervention, in direct contradiction of Russia’s decision to abstain in the vote which in essence allowed the resolution to be passed.

Analysts said the comments essentially marked the start of Russia’s 2012 presidential election campaign where many expect Putin to seek to return to the Kremlin after handing over the presidency to Medvedev in 2008.