Time magazine has named Vladimir Putin: Person of the Year for bringing stability and renewing status to his country. The magazine awarded Putin on Wednesday saying he returned Russia from chaos to the "table of power."

In an interview with the Time Magazine Putin said Washington had adopted a strategy of belittling Russia and trying to influence the country's foreign and domestic policies. He added that the US were constantly seeking problems inside Russia.

I liked what he said next:

"That's why they tell us and all the others, 'Well, let's pinch and reproach them a bit, because they [Russians] are not quite civilized, they are still wild, they have just jumped off a tree. This is why we must comb their hair a bit - they cannot do it themselves - and shave them and wash off their mud".

Putin is stepping down in 2008, during his 8 year presidency he has sought to develop an independent role for Moscow in international affairs.

Full story at Al Jazeera