Moscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has not ruled out another run in the Kremlin, backed a proposal on Wednesday to extend by two years the presidential term.

Putin, however, added it was too soon to say who would be the next candidate for the constitutionally-stretched office.

Legal experts say the changes would not benefit Putin's successor Dmitry Medvedev, though Russian lawmakers moved Wednesday to fast-track approval of his bill.

"I support (President) Dmitry Medvedev's proposal. With regards who and when of a run for the next term, it is premature to discuss this," Putin was quoted by news agency Interfax as saying.

Russian media speculate that Medvedev's bill is only meant to pave the way for 12 more years of Putin, after stepping down from 8 years as president in May. (dpa)