Obama administration says Russia 'reset' to last

The Obama administration said on Saturday the "reset" in relations it has pursued with Russia would remain on track despite a looming leadership reshuffle in Moscow widely expected to return Vladimir Putin to the presidency next year, Reuters reported.

The White House made clear that President Barack Obama would press ahead with efforts to repair relations regardless of who takes over in the Kremlin. Analysts said Putin's comeback could complicate, and possibly slow, the process of reconciliation between the former Cold War foes.

Putin declared on Saturday that he planned to reclaim the Russian presidency in an election next March that could open the way for the former KGB spy to rule until 2024.

White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said Obama's diplomatic outreach to Russia, which the president declared from the outset to be a centerpiece of his global agenda, did not depend on "individual personalities" at the top.

"We will continue to build on the progress of the reset whoever serves as the next president of Russia because we believe that it is in the mutual interests of the United States and Russia and the world," Vietor said in statement.