MOSCOW, May 9: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned on Friday against “irresponsible ambitions” that can spark conflict across continents, at his first World War II military parade since taking office.

“The history of world wars warns us that armed conflicts don’t appear by themselves, they are sparked by those whose irresponsible ambitions are put above the interests of countries and whole continents, above the interests of millions of people,” Medvedev said at the vast Red Square parade.

“We need to view very seriously any attempt to sow racist or religious hatred or to inflame ideological terror and extremism, as well as intentions to intrude in the affairs of other states and especially redraw borders.

“We can’t permit violations of the norms of international law, a law for which the whole international community suffered, a law without which a secure life and a just world order is impossible,” Medvedev said.

The annual Red Square parade has long been used by Moscow to send a defiant message to the West, with which Russia is at odds on issues ranging from Nato enlargement to missile defence. Friday’s parade, featuring 8,000 soldiers, heavy weaponry and planes, came after Medvedev was inaugurated as Russia’s president on Wednesday.

By his side on Friday stood his predecessor Vladimir Putin, who was confirmed in the prime minister’s post on Thursday and retains major influence.

In recent days tensions between Russia and its US-backed neighbour Georgia have reached new heights amid differences over the Moscow-backed separatist territory of Abkhazia.—AFP