"We have done a lot to end internal crises in Russia, and firmly set the country on an evolutionary development track... We will not allow the process to be changed from the outside," Putin said.
Putin said Russia is ready to participate more actively in the work of the Group of Eight industrialized nations, where it has been a member for the past 10 years. "Our country intends to increase its contribution to the G8," he told heads of diplomatic missions in the Kremlin.
Putin said the G8 has turned into a very important institution for international cooperation. "This makes it possible for us to strengthen our positions as a donor country in the international development sphere," he said.
The Russian leader said Russia undertook additional commitments a year ago to the tune of about $600 million to finance initiatives in education, infectious diseases and energy poverty. Russia's contribution to easing developing countries' debt was $12 billion, he said.
Putin said regional conflicts, including the Kosovo problem and the situation around Iran's nuclear program, could not be settled by force.
The U.S. and some EU states have pushed for Kosovo's independence, while Russia says that security and humanitarian requirements must be met first and that independence would set a dangerous precedent, including for post-Soviet states.
Western countries suspect Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program, but the Islamic Republic says it needs nuclear power to generate electricity.
Putin also said Russia hopes that Russian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) will be able to operate in a relaxed environment in the West, just like western NGOs enjoy in Russia.
