Putin Touts Resurgent Russia.

RADIO FREE EUROPE / RADIO LIBERTY:

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Kremlin critics of trying to weaken Russia's increasing influence as a global power.

The Russian president used an interview with Indian media, and a press conference with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, to hit back at Western critics who he says are trying to put Russia in its place.

In the interview -- broadcast on January 23 in India ahead of Putin's scheduled trip there -- the Russian president dismissed those who he said were accusing Russia of trying to regain its former «superpower» status.

He said the use of such Cold War terminology is an attempt to «undermine trust in Russia» and «create some sort of enemy».