Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says the war in the Georgian region of South Ossetia show Russia is a “nation to be reckoned with.”

Medvedev says last month’s war with Georgia was forced upon Russia and that Russia had to act to save lives. His comments Saturday were some of the most belligerent to date from Russian officials.

He says “Russia will never allow anyone infringe the lives and dignity of its citizens. Russia is a nation to be reckoned with from now on.”

The Russian leader spoke at the opening of a high-level government body called the Russian State Council.