In Russia, a job swap that will certainly benefit one man: Vladimir Putin.

Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, backed his predecessor's bid for the presidency and said he may take the job of prime minister, currently held by Putin.

But this role reversal has left many asking if Putin's return to the top job will take Russia back to its old ways when political opposition was removed from the national stage.

The ruling tandem remains but what does it mean for democracy in the country? And how is this deal viewed in the West? 

Inside Story, with presenter Jane Dutton, discusses with Vyacheslav Matuzov, a political analyst; Sergei Strokan, a columnist at Kommersant newspaper; and Martin Mccauley, a professor of history and politics at the London University.