Putin Admits Russia Forcibly Imposed Soviet Model on E.Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday admitted that the Soviet Union had sought to forcibly impose the Soviet model on Eastern Europe after World War II.

"After WWII we tried to impose our model of development on many Eastern European countries and did it by force," Putin said during his annual phone-in with Russians.

"We have to admit this. And there's nothing good about it."

Russia and the West are locked in a bitter standoff over the Ukraine crisis that has jangled the nerves of leaders across Europe.

Putin, however, accused the United States of trying to impose its own will just as the Soviet Union had in the past.

"The Americans are acting in a similar way by trying to impose their model around the world," Putin said. "They will also fail."