Putin sets out Russia's new role

Mr Putin is seeking to build a stronger Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined plans for a foreign policy which rejects both Cold War expansionism and the post-Soviet honeymoon with the West.

We must get rid of imperial ambitions and clearly understand where our national interests are, spell them out and fight for them

Vladimir Putin

In a lengthy interview for state television marking his first year in office, Mr Putin said that Russia needed to work out what its national interests were and defend them.

He said that he did not expect a deterioration in relations with the United States under George W Bush, saying that Moscow had generally worked well with Republican administrations.

But speaking on the eve of a visit to Tehran by the Russian defence minister - the first since 1979 - he added that Russia would not bow to US pressure by refusing to develop military co-operation with Iran.

Mr Putin said his efforts remained focused on improving the lives of millions of ordinary Russians and crushing the political influence of tycoons.

Next weekend, the former KGB agent celebrates a year since taking over as acting president following the surprise resignation of Boris Yeltsin.

He won a convincing victory in presidential elections in March.

US relations

Mr Putin said that the Soviet Union had "scared the world", causing the emergence of military and political blocs. Russia had not benefitted from this, he concluded.

We have always been able to find a common language with the Republicans. The United States and Russia are no longer rivals and enemies as during Soviet times

Vladimir Putin

But he said that it was equally wrong to think that "everyone loves us", as was widely believed 10 years ago.

"We must get rid of imperial ambitions on the one hand, and on the other hand clearly understand where our national interests are, to spell them out and fight for them," he said.

Asked what he thought of US President-elect George W Bush, he said he did not expect relations with America to deteriorate.

"My analysis of modern history shows that when Republicans were heading the US administration, even US-Soviet relations were not harmed," he said.

"We have always been able to find a common language with the Republicans. The United States and Russia are no longer rivals and enemies as during Soviet times," he added.

Government 'adequate'

Mr Putin turned his attention to domestic issues, defending Mikhail Kasyanov's performance as prime minister as "adequate".

Mikhail Kasyanov: defended by Putin

He hinted at a cabinet reshuffle, saying that he had asked Mr Kasyanov to think about how to make the government work better.

But this did not mean the government's dismissal was imminent, he said. Political stability was paramount.

Mr Putin added that there were signs that the Russian economy was slowing down, and blamed the recent fall in world oil prices.

He said he was committed to economic liberalism and ensuring that those who had accumulated capital illegally over the last 10 years were dealt with.

"To the utmost, we have to guarantee the economic freedom of citizens... while the government has to develop general rules of the game and make sure that they are being followed," he said.