MOSCOW - The result of the upcoming presidential election would not trigger a color revolution in Russia, as the people want sustainable development, a prominent Russian political expert has said.

Eugeny Minchenko, director of the International Institute for Political Expertise, told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview that protests after the elections would happen regardless of the election results, but a color revolution is truly unlikely.

Russia will hold the presidential election on Sunday.

He explained Russia is a militarily strong country which could stop any possibility of outside pressure, and there is no split in Russia's law enforcement structures. Meanwhile, the current oppositions lack popular leaders. So, an "orange revolution without leaders" is impossible in Russia.

Most importantly, the expert said, the Russian people know change in the country must be gradual and evolutionary and securing stability depends on how the authorities realize the reforms promised by the ruling tandem - outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev and his probable successor Vladimir Putin.

Putin, who is running for a third term in the Kremlin post, has "a 90-percent chance" to win the election in the first round, because he is the only candidate who is "well prepared to work as the head of state", Minchenko said.

The expert said, although opponents criticized Putin for not resolving the country's problems during his long years in power, most Russians recognized Putin had kept the country from collapse and directed the nation to development.

"I think the common people in Russia have never had such high living standards as they enjoyed during Putin's years. Take quality of goods, free foreign travels, free environment, even the housing situation. I remember the terrible living conditions in the Soviet times and I am happy my child lives today in the different conditions," Minchenko said.

If Putin wins, his third term would be harder than the previous two, because he has to face a very serious challenge - could he remain in history as a successful reformist, the expert said.

"Putin has to learn to live with lower popularity. He must demonstrate both rigidity and softness, flexibility, communication and negotiating skills, taking into account the opponents' opinions," he said.

Minchenko said Putin has promised during the campaign the opposition could have roles in the new government if he won.

The expert said Putin should keep his promise to demonstrate that the government is a coalition one.

"This move is needed to show all voters' opinions have been taken into account, not only those of Putin's supporters," he said.

Minchenko believes a run-off would affect the situation positively.

"On one hand, this would facilitate political competition. On the other hand, it would decrease protest sentiments, as even the most vocal critics understand that Putin would win against (the Communist Party candidate Gennady) Zyuganov honestly. In that sense, the final victory (of Putin) will be uncontested and there will be no reasons to protest," he said.

Russia has seen several mass protests calling for fair elections since parliamentary elections last December.