Merkel says ready to cooperate with any Russian president

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will maintain good relations with Russia, regardless of who the next Russian president is, her spokesman said on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev proposed Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to run for president in next year's election, ending months of speculation over which man would run for the post.

Merkel has worked very well and closely with President Medvedev and intended to do the same with his successor, spokesman Steffen Seibert said.

The German government has pledged support for Medvedev's modernization program. In contrast, Merkel's relations with Putin have been noticeably chillier. Although the former president speaks fluent German, he has not been a regular visitor since he became prime minister