Putin did not identify the candidate but analysts say he was apparently referring to Republican hopeful John McCain who is considered by Moscow as close to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.

"The suspicion would arise that someone in the United States created this conflict on purpose to stir up the situation and to create an advantage for one of the candidates in the competitive race for the presidency. They needed a small victorious war," Putin told CNN.

In a first comprehensive interview with a western television network since Moscow sent troops to fight Georgian forces after they attacked South Ossetia, Putin sought to present the Russian action as a response to the brazen cold war style American encouragement to Georgia.

Putin said his defence officials had told him it was done to influence American voters in the choice of a successor to President Bush, but the network said he presented no evidence to back it up.

"US citizens were indeed in the area in conflict. They were acting in implementing those orders, doing as they were ordered, and the only one who can give such orders is their leader," Putin said.