President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia will provide military aid to Georgia's breakaway provinces and warned that US domination of world affairs was not acceptable.

But in a speech to Russian television stations, he also said Russia wants to maintain good relations with the United States and other Western nations.

Mr Medvedev said Russia was preparing to sign deals with Abkhazia and South Ossetia that will detail Moscow's obligations on economic, military and other assistance to the two regions.

His statement indicated Russia has no intention of backing down in response to Western criticism of its recognition of the two provinces' independence.

Mr Medvedev said the agreements will lay the basis for "allied" relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"We will provide all kinds of assistance to these republics," he said. "These international agreements will spell out our obligations on providing support and assistance: economic, social, humanitarian and military."

He did not say when the deals would be signed, but Russian news reports indicated it could happen in the next few days.

'Irreversible decision'

Mr Medvedev's decision last Tuesday to recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent drew sharp criticism from the West, which has condemned Russia's war this month with its tiny ex-Soviet neighbour.

He said Russia's recognition of the two regions was enough for them to come to existence as independent states. "We have made our decision, and it's irreversible," he said.

The president again defended Russia's military action, saying it was an adequate and necessary response to Georgia's attempt to regain control of South Ossetia by force, which he called "idiotic" and "boorish".

Mr Medvedev warned that Moscow would not accept US domination in global affairs.

"The world must be multi-polar; domination is unacceptable," he said.

"We can't accept the world order where all decisions are made by one nation, even by such a serious and authoritative nation as the United States. Such a world would be unstable and prone to conflicts."

But he insisted Russia wants good relations with the West.

'Aggressive actions'

"Russia doesn't want to engage in confrontation with anyone, Russia doesn't want to isolate itself," he said.

At the same time, he said Russia will proceed from the need to protect its citizens "wherever they are" and protect what he called its "privileged" interests in the former Soviet nations.

"If someone is engaged in aggressive actions, he will face a response," Mr Medvedev said.

He also said the Kremlin will defend interests of Russian businesses abroad.

Russia may consider passing laws on economic sanctions against unfriendly nations, he said, but added it would like to avoid that. "I think it's the most non-productive path."

Mr Medvedev's predecessor and mentor, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, cautioned European nations against sharing the tough US policy on Russia and "serving someone else's political interests".

Speaking to Russian television, Mr Putin voiced hope that the Europeans will "look out for their own skins".