Moscow - Acting President Vladimir Putin flexed his muscles yesterday, saying Russia needed to rebuild its military might and improve the economy to regain superpower status.
The former KGB spy became acting head of state on New Year's Eve when President Boris Yeltsin resigned. He also remains Prime Minister, at least until the March 26th presidential election.
Mr Putin said Russia, in a geopolitical and financial bind since the collapse of communism and a 1998 economic crisis, deserved to restore its pride but needed the funds to do it.