Medvedev says Russia 'nation to be reckoned with'

Last month’s war with Georgia shows that “Russia is a nation to be reckoned with&8221;, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said today.

Mr Medvedev said the war over Georgia’s separatist province of South Ossetia was forced upon Russia and he said Russia had to act to save lives.

“Russia will never allow anyone to infringe the lives and dignity of its citizens. Russia is a nation to be reckoned with from now on,“ he said.

Russia has given passports to many people in South Ossetia, even though the territory was in Georgia.

The Russian leader was speaking today at the opening of Russian State Council, a high-level government body.

PA