SOCHI, September 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia respects the sovereignty of its neighbors and has no intention of annexing any territories, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, amid criticism over Russia's actions in Georgia.

Georgia has accused Russia of invading its territory and seeking to annex South Ossetia and Abkhazia, rebel regions that were recently recognized by Moscow as independent, while Georgia's allies including Ukraine have said Eastern European states face a similar threat from Russia.

"We have no desire or reason to encroach on the sovereignty of former Soviet republics," Vladimir Putin said at a Valdai Discussion Club meeting in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia on August 26, two weeks after it had expelled Georgian troops from South Ossetia following Tbilisi's August 8 ground and air offensive against the republic.

Putin said that despite the tense situation in the North Caucasus, "everyone understands that this will not spill over into Europe. We have no imperial ambitions."

Earlier on Thursday, South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity said his republic planned to merge with the neighboring Russian province of North Ossetia, and become part of Russia, a statement he later withdrew.

Meanwhile, Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh said Abkhazia would not try to obtain 'associated territory' status with Russia but would seek to join the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States and the Russia-Belarus Union State.

Russia earlier this week established diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and has pledged substantial economic and military support. Most residents of both disputed republics are Russian citizens.