MOSCOW: The official agenda for this weekend’s Group of Eight summit of leading industrial countries in St Petersburg includes action on energy security, global education and disease pandemics. But for the summit’s host, President Vladimir Putin, the overriding aim is to confirm post-Soviet Russia’s re-emergence as a global player deserving of a place at the top table.

“What Putin really wants is for Russia to be recognised as a power in its own right, not relying or dependent on the US, China or the EU,” said Jennifer Moll, a Russia expert with the Risk Advisory Group. “The increasing assertiveness of Russia’s foreign policy and the push to join the World Trade Organisation are evidence of this. For Putin, the summit is about dispelling old notions of the G7 plus one. It’s about great power status.”

Mr Putin’s bullish mood looks justified. Russia’s economy has grown annually by an average 6% since 1999. As a financial analyst, Andrew Rozanov, recently pointed out for the Chatham House thinktank, Russia is now the world’s 12th largest economy. It has a trade surplus of more than $120bn (£65bn), a budget surplus of 7.5% of GDP and reserves in excess of $300bn.

Most of this new-found wealth, and the Kremlin’s resulting political confidence, flows from energy exports. Russia is the world’s second largest oil producer and has an estimated 65% of global natural gas reserves.

Despite accusations of anti-democratic tendencies, Mr Putin’s personal popularity is unmatched by his G8 guests. His approval rating is roughly twice that of George Bush or Tony Blair. And despite growing NGO and opposition criticism at home, many Russians seem to admire his readiness to challenge US global leadership assumptions.

On North Korea’s missiles tests, on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, on Hamas’s control of the Palestinian Authority, and on Darfur, Mr Putin has consistently blocked or sidestepped US-led moves towards punitive action. These issues, plus Russia’s poor human and civil rights record, could make for an indigestible dinner when he and Mr Bush meet privately on Friday evening.

The fact that they are unlikely to be resolved only underscores Moscow’s strengthening self-belief.—Dawn/The Guardian News Service