Putin denies Russia wants to revive Soviet Union

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin denied that Russia has ambitions to re-integrate the former Soviet states. Putin also dismissed Western media reports concerning Russia's "imperialist ambitions".

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin denied that Russia has ambitions to re-integrate the former Soviet states.

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"We are not talking about political integration, about the revival of the Soviet Union, Russia is not interested in that today," Putin said in an interview with three national TV channels seven weeks before parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec 4.

"It is not interested in taking on excessive risks, taking excessive responsibility for the counties that for various reasons… remain close to us," he said.

Putin also dismissed Western media reports concerning Russia's "imperialist ambitions", saying that Western experts who criticise Russia-CIS states integration policy should "mind their own business".

"Tackle rising inflation, state debt or at least obesity. Mind your own business," the premier added.