MOSCOW, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Russia has the chairmanship of the G8 for the first time and, amid criticism, President Vladimir Putin will try to show Russia is an international player.
The BBC reports Putin will use Russia's gas and oil reserves as a way get support from bigger economies like the United States, Japan and Germany.
Much as British Prime Minister Tony Blair made poverty in Africa a central issue while he chaired the group of eight powerful countries, Putin will bring the plight of poor former Soviet states to the table.
But major criticism, especially from members of the U.S. Senate, has cast a shadow over Russia and its place at the head of the G8 table, the BBC said. Some say Russia hasn't reformed enough to merit the chairmanship, its economy isn't at superpower status and it has a less-than-stellar human rights track record.
Putin is accused of taking legal action against political opponents, oppressing the media and turning his cheek from Russian military abuses in Chechnya.
