Russia's Vladimir Putin impressed upon his successor Dmitry Medvedev the importance of continuing his policies as president in a speech at a Kremlin inauguration ceremony Wednesday.
"It's extremely important for everyone together to continue the course that has already been taken and has justified itself," Putin said, moments before Medvedev was sworn in as Russia's third post-Soviet president.
Putin remains extremely popular after an economic boom during his eight years in office and he is expected to retain major power as prime minister, an appointment that parliament is due to confirm Thursday.
"There have been mistakes and hiccups but we have still achieved a breakthrough to a new life and we are now coming up with targets not a month or a year ahead but 20-30 years ahead," Putin said.
"As I hand over the powers of the head of state, I would also like to say that the responsibility of protecting Russia was and remains my civic duty. I have kept to it all these years and will keep to it my whole life," he added.
Putin was prevented from seeking office again by a constitutional ban on more than two consecutive terms in office but analysts said he may seek to be president after his relatively weak protege Medvedev leaves.
Medvedev was handpicked by Putin as his successor and was elected with a landslide victory on March 2 after a campaign in which he promised to follow Putin's policies to the letter.
As one of his first acts in office, Medvedev was expected to nominate Putin as prime minister.