Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out Thursday at the West for double standards over Ukraine's elections, accusing it of fomenting turmoil in Moscow's backyard.

Speaking at an annual press conference in the Kremlin, Putin said it was hypocritical for Western governments to criticize Russia for pursuing its interests in neighboring former Soviet republics.

The Russian leader said it was "complete nonsense" to accuse Moscow of trying to "devour" its smaller neighbors in the former Soviet sphere of influence, such as Georgia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

Putin warned that the so-called "orange revolution" led by Ukraine's West-leaning opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko risked plunging the region into "endless conflict."

Putin was referring to the controversy between Russia and Western countries over the disputed presidential election last month.

Putin congratulated the pro-Russia Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, Yushchenko's opponent, on his victory as soon as Ukraine's Central Election Commission proclaimed Yanukovych the winner of the controversial Nov. 21 run-off. But European countries and the United States refused to recognize the results, saying the poll was rigged.

Ukraine's Supreme Court later annulled the results on grounds of massive frauds. A re-run was scheduled for Dec. 26.

Commenting on a statement by Yushchenko that his first foreign trip after winning the presidency would be to Moscow, Putin said: "We'll be glad to receive here in Moscow a person who gets support of the Ukrainian people in the election."

"We know Mr. Yushchenko, and we've always had businesslike relations with him," he said.

"Russia is worried by the attempts to solve political issues outside the framework of law... but we'll accept any decision (of the Ukrainian voters) and will work with any (newly elected) leader," Putin said.

"We also hope Yushchenko's staff will be free of people building their course upon anti-Russian statements," he said.