MOSCOW, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Russia's decision to send troops to Georgia has set a new standard by which Moscow will defend its national interests, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.

Russia incurred Western wrath by launching a military assault on Georgia last month after it tried to retake a pro-Moscow separatist region of South Ossetia by force.

Russia later recognised the independence of South Ossetia and another Georgian breakaway region, Abkhazia.

"Through its response to the Georgian aggression, Russia has set a kind of standard for reaction, which fully complies with international law," Lavrov told students of Moscow's main diplomatic college in a speech to mark the start of the new academic year.

The speech, focused on new relations between Russia and the West, was made hours before EU leaders were due gather in Brussels to discuss a common stance in the Georgian crisis. Lavrov made clear Russia would not bow to any pressure.

"Russia has returned to the world stage as a responsible state which can defend its citizens," Lavrov said.

"If anyone had any doubts about this, our actions to force Georgia to (accept) peace, forced by circumstances, and the subsequent recognition of South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence should have dispelled them," he added. (Writing by Oleg Shchedrov; Editing by Jon Boyle)

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