12 Dec 2012 12:19

Russians should not lose themselves as nation - Putin

MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin believes Russia should not only develop confidently in the 21st century, but also keep its identity.

"Russia should be a sovereign and influential country in the 21st century in a new economic, civilization, and military situation," Putin said in his address to the Federal Assembly.

"We should not just develop confidently, but also keep our national identity, not lose ourselves as a nation," he said.