DHAKA: Russian president Vladimir Putin, in a thinly veiled criticism of the United States, portrayed Russia on Thursday as a force for peace and morality that had no desire to be a global superpower.

‘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, reports The Jerusalem Post.

BDST: 1857 HRS, DEC 12, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor