Moscow Vladimir Putin's chosen heir set out a very different vision yesterday for the future of Russia under his presidency.

Dmitri Medvedev said that he regarded freedom as the most important principle of good government. He pledged reforms to protect private property, strengthen the independence of the judiciary and roll back state interference in Russia's economy.

Despite serving under his mentor since 1999, Mr Medvedev described his plans in strikingly liberal terms that were in stark contrast to Mr Putin's authoritarian approach.

“Our policy should be based on what I consider to be the most important principle for any modern state that seeks high standards in life, obvious though this principle is: freedom is better than lack of freedom,” Mr Medvedev, who is the Deputy Prime Minister, told a business forum in Krasnoyarsk.

Mr Medvedev, 42, is certain to win the presidential election on March 2, but he lacks an independent power base and is reliant on Mr Putin for support.

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