Medvedev blames US for global financial troubles

---

SAINT PETERSBURG, June 7 (AFP): Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today blamed the United States for the global financial downturn and said Russia had the energy and food resources to come to the world's help.

"It is precisely the gap between the United States' formal role in the world economy and its real capabilities that was one of the key reasons for the current crisis," Medvedev told a business forum in Saint Petersburg.

"Russia is a global player and understands its responsibility for the fate of the world," he said.

"We want to participate in setting out the new rules of the game, not out of imperial ambitions... but because of our energy resources."

Medvedev-who took office last month after his controversial election to replace his political mentor Vladimir Putin-said Russia was ready to host an international conference on worldwide financial troubles this year.