Moscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned on Friday the financial crisis was "far from over" and said the government must act to stem attempts by "mercenary" political forces to organize protests on the back of the crisis.

Putin made the comments in a meeting with leaders of the dominant pro-Kremlin party United Russia at his Novo-Ogoryovo residence outside Moscow.

"We are dependent on the global economy and must note that the crisis is far from over - it has not yet even reached its peak," Putin was quoted by news agency Interfax as saying.

Moscow/Tbilisi - Georgia elected a snappy disco tune that takes a swipe at Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for its Eurovision contest song entry hosted by Moscow this year.

Georgia had initially said it would boycott the song contest after its war with Russia in August, but has opted instead for a soft-power punch.

"We Don't Wanna Put In" belted out by the group Stefan & 3Gs is a rather bald play on words on the Russian premier's name.

London, Feb 11: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has denied attending a secret gig by UK Abba tribute band on January 22.

According to the members of Bjorn Again, Putin was seen dancing away and yelling bravo while the band performed some of its hit songs like Honey Honey in a theatre 200 miles north of Moscow.

However, while writing in the The Times, Kremlin officials have shot down reports that Putin was present at the concert.

Dmitry Peskov said he was "sorry to disappoint" the band over gig.

Sydney - A private concert by ABBA tribute band Bjorn Again for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was entirely believable, the band's Australian co-founder said Saturday.

"We've played private gigs for Rowan Atkinson, we did Russell Crowe's wedding, we've done a show for Bill Gates where we played Money, Money, Money," John Tyrrell told the The Australian newspaper.

The Kremlin has denied reports that the London-based Bjorn Again foursome was flown to Russia to perform for Putin.

London, Feb 6 : Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is such huge fan of Abba that he actually called the band to his homeland for a private concert.

Putin was seen dancing away at the band's Honey Honey song along with Kremlin officials, as Kalashnikov-wielding guards patrolled the building.

"I got a phone call before Christmas. The voice on the end of the phone said, ''Kremlin... Russia... Moscow... we want your band''," the Telegraph quoted Bjorn Again''s founder, Rod Stephens, as saying.

Moscow  - Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, has assured the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that his government remains fully committed to financing the
2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi despite the global economic crisis.

Putin said Saturday at a meeting with the Games' IOC coordinator Jean-Claude Killy in Sochi that the financing of the Games was secured in the State budget.