Russian Deputy FM: "GUAM not anti-Russian group"

The alliance, which comprises Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova, is seen by some as an attempt to counterbalance Russian influence in the Commonwealth of Independent States, a loose alliance of ex-Soviet countries.

"There is no anti-Russian factor, and it is purely a matter for the countries gathered in Kiev [today]," Andrei Denisov said, RIA Novosti reports.

GUAM leaders earlier Tuesday adopted a charter changing the group's status and renaming it the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said at the summit that the new charter set objectives for cooperation, such as promoting democratic values, ensuring stable development, enhancing international and regional security and stepping up European integration.