"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 seniornational officials.
"We do not infringe on anyone's interests, we do not forceour patronage on anyone, or try to teach anyone how to live," hesaid, using phrases that echo his previous criticisms of theUnited States.
Russia, he said, would strive to be a leader which defendedinternational law and respected national sovereignty and theindependence of nations.
"This is absolutely understandable for a state like Russia,with its great history and culture," he said.