Russia Warns West Not To Interfere

Sergei Ivanov, Russia's defense minister, on Thursday warned the west to stay out of its internal affairs saying it would use its "military might" as a deterrent and a guarantor of its sovereignty. His comments came as President George W. Bush sought to put democratic freedoms in Russia back on the agenda for the Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg this weekend.

In an article published in Izvestia newspaper Mr. Ivanov, a possible successor to President Vladimir Putin in 2008, hailed Russia's resurgence as a great power, underpinned by triad of "sovereign democracy, a strong economy and military might."

He said Russia must hold its own "in the face of those who criticize us or are our open enemies." These, he wrote, can be divided into two camps of 'soft' opponents and of terrorists. Mr. Ivanov said some democratic states which criticized Russia for its authoritarianism "were unhappy about an independent, strong and confident Russia."

Russia's future depended on its ability "to provide adequate response both to attempts to exert foreign policy pressure and to direct aggression, including international terrorism, he said, adding that in both cases "combat-capable, well-equipped and modern and armed forces" would play "a priority role".

Mr. Ivanov's hawkish article is the latest sign of deterioration in Russia's relationship with the west. It came as Mr. Bush prepared to fly to St. Petersburg on Friday for talks with President Vladimir Putin of Russia and to meet civil society leaders, ahead of the G8 summit.

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