Putin: Russia doesn't aspire to be superpower

"Russia never aspired to be a superpower," said Russian leader Putin in his annual address to the parliament on December 12. In his speech on December 12, where he spoke for over an hour particularly on foreign policy, Putin said they were proud of Russia, but never aspired to be a superpower. Putin said nearly 23 trillion roubles was allocated for meeting defence requirements and that defence would continue to develop over the next decade, adding that "military specialists will have stable and well-paid jobs. We need to build comfortable military towns for our forces as well." "Russia is capable of responding to any possible political and technological threats against the country," noted the president. While referring to recent incidents in Ukraine, he said during his address "If the Kiev government agrees, Russia is set to collaboratively act in integration projects in the Ukraine", adding "If Kiev is still interested in customs union, Russia is ready to do what is needed to be done." Refering to the country's need for foreign labour force, Putin stated that it should encourage foreign experts to come to Russia and immigration should be governed within the law of the country, but illegal immigration should be banned as it distorts the labour market and creates tension.  He said that the country should impose bigger fines on firms which take on illegal immigrants.