Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told his US counterpart Barack Obama that Moscow attached "no importance" to Washington’s criticism of this month’s elections in Russia.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told his US counterpart Barack Obama that Moscow attached "no importance" to Washington's criticism of this month's elections in Russia.

"Of course, I had to say one thing to him: You can think of our elections what you want, it is our affair. To speak frankly, we attach no importance to it'," Medvedev said he told Obama in a telephone call Friday.

"We are a big country, strong, and sovereign," he added.

In contrast, the White House said the US president praised Medvedev's commitment to investigate flaws claims in the December 4 vote.