|
 "We do not aspire to be called some kind of superpower,
understanding that as a claim to world or regional hegemony," Putin
said in an annual address to parliamentarians and senior national
officials.
"We do not infringe on anyone's interests, we do not force our
patronage on anyone, or try to teach anyone how to live," he said,
using phrases that echo his previous criticisms of the United
States.
Russia, he said, would strive to be a leader which defended
international law and respected national sovereignty and the
independence of nations.
"This is absolutely understandable for a state like Russia, with its
great history and culture," he said.
Russia had a big role in a deal under which Damascus is to scrap its
chemical weapons and possible U.S. military strikes were averted. He
said Russia had helped "international law, common sense and the
logic of peace" prevail.
Without naming the United States, Putin warned that the development
of anti-missile shields and powerful long-range non-nuclear weapons
could "reduce to nothing" existing nuclear arms control pacts and
upset the post-Cold War strategic balance.
[to top of second column] |
"Nobody should have any illusion about the possibility of gaining
military superiority over Russia," he said. "We will never allow
this to happen. Russia will respond to all these challenges,
political and military."
Russia is developing its own effective non-nuclear weapons, he said,
adding that in efforts to upgrade its nuclear arsenal "we are
reaching new milestones successfully and on schedule. Some of our
partners will have to catch up."
(Reporting by Alexei Anishchuk; writing by Steve Gutterman;
editing
by Timothy Heritage)
[© 2013 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2013 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
