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Putin attacks 'foreign meddlers' Russia in defence warning to US
(about 1 hour later)
Foreign money is being used to meddle in Russia's internal politics, President Vladimir Putin has said. Russia may stop implementing a key defence treaty because of concerns over US plans for a missile shield in Europe, President Vladimir Putin said.
Mr Putin blamed the "influx" on those who he said were using democracy as a pretext to interfere in politics. Mr Putin made the threat during his annual address to parliament - which he said would be his last as president.
He did not specify those responsible, but in the past Russian authorities have accused the West of funding groups that oppose the government. He also hit out at an influx of foreign money which he said was being used to meddle in Russia's internal affairs.
Mr Putin also reiterated his pledge to stand down when his term comes to an end in March 2008. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice dismissed Russian concerns over the missile shield as "ludicrous".
The Russian leader made the comments in his annual address to parliament, his opportunity to outline key policy objectives for the next year. But BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Mr Putin's speech marks a significant upping of diplomatic stakes.
'Democratic ideology' The Russian president accused Nato countries of failing to respect the 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE), which limits military deployments across the continent.
Our partners... are using the present situation to boost the presence of military bases and systems close to our borders Vladimir Putin Cold War echoes in missile debate
The Russian moratorium would continue "until all countries of the world have ratified and started to strictly implement it", he said.
If there was no progress at upcoming talks between Nato and Russia on the US missile defence plan, Russia would "look at the possibility of ceasing our commitments under the CFE treaty", he said.
The US wants to station 10 interceptor missiles in Poland, with radar operations in the Czech Republic - which Russia strongly opposes.
"The Russians have thousands of warheads. The idea that you can somehow stop the Russian strategic nuclear deterrent with a few interceptors just doesn't make sense," said the US secretary of state in Oslo, ahead of a Nato-Russia meeting.
'Meddlers'
Mr Putin also hit out at those who he said were using democracy as a pretext to interfere in politics.
"There is a growing influx of foreign cash used to directly meddle in our domestic affairs," Mr Putin said."There is a growing influx of foreign cash used to directly meddle in our domestic affairs," Mr Putin said.
"Not everyone likes the stable, gradual rise of our country," he said. "There are some who are using the democratic ideology to interfere in our internal affairs.""Not everyone likes the stable, gradual rise of our country," he said. "There are some who are using the democratic ideology to interfere in our internal affairs."
These meddlers were seeking to either to steal from the people or to attack Russia's economic and political independence, he said. He did not specify those responsible, but in the past Russian authorities have accused the West of funding groups that oppose the government.
He also called for a moment of silence to commemorate former President Boris Yeltsin, who he said had laid the foundations for a changed Russia. He called for a library to be established in Mr Yeltsin's name.He also called for a moment of silence to commemorate former President Boris Yeltsin, who he said had laid the foundations for a changed Russia. He called for a library to be established in Mr Yeltsin's name.
Other highlights included:Other highlights included:
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  • a freeze on Russian compliance with a European treaty that limits military deployments across the continent
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  • praise for Russia's economy, which he said was now one of the 10th largest in the world
  • praise for Russia's economy, which he said was now one of the 10th largest in the world
  • a funding boost for state housing, using some of the proceeds from the auction of bankrupt oil giant Yukos
  • a funding boost for state housing, using some of the proceeds from the auction of bankrupt oil giant Yukos
    • Mr Putin's speech was delayed by a day because of Mr Yeltsin's state funeral.Mr Putin's speech was delayed by a day because of Mr Yeltsin's state funeral.
    He reiterated his pledge to step down in March 2008, after serving two terms as president.