At the meeting with permanent members of the Security Council, Vladimir Putin discussed domestic policy and a number of international issues.

Vladimir Putin took part in an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board that reviewed the ministry’s work in 2012 and examined plans for the Armed Forces’ continued development.

In his address to the Defence Ministry Board members and senior commanders in the General Staff Academy in Moscow, the Commander in Chief will assess the progress of the military reform and identify key areas for further development of the Russian Armed Forces.

Vladimir Putin attended a concert marking Defender of the Fatherland Day. President Putin congratulated veterans and the Armed Forces’ military and civilian personnel on the holiday.

Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On the Head of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff Military Academy.

A reception marking the 70^th anniversary of the Red Army’s victory over Nazi Germany troops in the Battle of Stalingrad was held at the Grand Kremlin Palace on behalf of the Russian President.

Vladimir Putin met with permanent members of the Security Council to discuss current international issues, in particular, the situation in Syria. An exchange of views on Russia’s Armed Forces’ organisation and development also took place, and the meeting examined domestic and external security issues.

During a meeting yesterday, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov submitted Russia’s Defence Strategy for the President’s approval. Other issues discussed included the naval exercises with strategic aircraft and a new servicing system for weapons and military equipment.

Andrei Kostin reported to Vladimir Putin on financing the state defence order and issuing military mortgage loans.

Vladimir Putin visited the Severomorsk naval base of the Northern Fleet, where he presented the Order of Nakhimov to nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On the State Defence Order.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation on Creating an Active Manpower Reserve.

Officers appointed to senior command positions were presented and had their senior military (special) titles conferred at a ceremony held in the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St George Hall.

Vladimir Putin submitted to the State Duma for ratification the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Italian Republic on Railway Transit of Weapons, Military Equipment, Military Assets and Personnel via Russian Federation Territory in Connection with Participation by Armed Forces of the Italian Republic in Efforts to Stabilise and Rehabilitate the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, signed in Sochi on December 3, 2010.

The meeting participants summed up the results of Russia's military technology cooperation with foreign states in 2012 and discussed prospective lines of work.

Mr Rogozin briefed Vladimir Putin on the situation with the state defence procurement orders and put forward a proposal to unite two Izhevsk arms makers into a single company – Kalashnikov Company. 

Vladimir Putin signed Executive Orders On the Chief of Armed Forces General Staff and First Deputy Defence Minister, On the First Deputy Defence Minister, and On the Deputy Defence Minister.