Russia needs to be "independent and strong" in fending off foreign threats to its sovereignty, according to Vladimir Putin.

In an annual address to parliament, the Prime Minister said cracks caused by the global financial crisis could undermine the country. With the economy growing by more than 4 percent annually, Russia should be able to fully recover from the credit crunch by next year.

At the parliamentary session, Putin did not address the issue of reclaiming the presidency in next March's election.

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