by Danila Galperovich, Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic - Medevedev's inauguration ceremony, throughout which he stood shoulder to shoulder with his mentor, was a powerful statement that Putin is still a force to be reckoned with. Putin has already been named prime minister by Medvedev -- he is due to be confirmed by the State Duma as soon as May 8 -- and was recently appointed leader of the ruling Unified Russia party.