MOSCOW, February 14 (RIA Novosti) - Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he had never been tempted to stay on as Russia's president for a third consecutive term.

Speaking during his final annual news conference in the Kremlin, attended by over 1,300 Russian and foreign reporters, Putin said he knew he would have to step down at the end of his second, and final under the Constitution, term of office.

"I was never tempted to stay on for a third term," he said.

"From my first day as president of the Russian Federation I decided for myself that I would never infringe the Constitution," he added.

Putin said it was of paramount importance that everyone, from the head of state to ordinary citizens, observed the law.

"Of course, I would like to work, but there still is the possibility to do so," the Russian leader said.

"Some people are addicted to tobacco, some, God forgive us, to drugs, and some to money. Some say the worst addiction is to power. I have never felt that, and I have never been addicted to anything," he went on.

Putin also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to have worked for his country's benefit, and said it was unacceptable to think that the 'boss's chair' could belong to one person forever.

Vladimir Putin is widely expected to cede power after the March 2 presidential polls to his hand-picked successor, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.