Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused the United States of plotting this month's war in Georgia, dpa reported.
Putin told CNN the fighting was triggered by politicians in Washington in an attempt to give an advantage one of the competing US presidential candidates, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.
The former president gave no evidence to support his statements, which he called "conjecture," but said the US action forced Russia's hand.
Russia had no alternative but to push into Georgia after its peacekeeping troops in South Ossetia came under Georgian fire early in August, Putin said in an interview with the US broadcaster.
He added that he was disappointed that Washington had not done more to stop Georgia's assault.
Putin is believed by many to still have the final say over Kremlin decisions. He was the first to speak out against Georgian actions and to visit Russia's 58th army that bore the brunt of the fighting in Georgia.