Dmitry Medvedev signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus on Establishment and Operation of a Unified Communications System for the Regional Force (Army) Grouping of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.

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

Dmitry Medvedev visited the base of the 45^th Separate Special Purpose Guards Regiment of the Air Assault Forces nearby Kubinka in Moscow Region and decorated the regiment with the Order of Kutuzov, fixing the order and ribbon to the unit’s St George banner. The regiment was decorated for successfully performing its missions with courage and heroism.

Dmitry Medvedev took part in an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board, summing up the results of the Armed Forces’ activities in 2010, and clarifying this year’s objectives.

Dmitry Medvedev congratulated service members, veterans, and civil personnel in the Armed Forces and their families on the national holiday, Defender of the Fatherland Day.

Dmitry Medvedev discussed with officers and their spouses reforms of the Armed Forces and social conditions for the servicemen’s families.

Dmitry Medvedev signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on the Mutual Supplies of Military, Dual-Purpose and Civil Goods during Periods of Heightened Aggression and in Wartime.

Dmitry Medvedev submitted the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus on Creating a Unified Communications System for the Regional Group of Troops (Forces) of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, to the State Duma for ratification.

Dmitry Medvedev appointed Anatoly Antonov to the post of Deputy Defence Minister responsible for international military cooperation.

Dmitry Medvedev held a meeting on the new service pay system for armed forces and law enforcement personnel to take effect from January, 2012.

Meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev announced having signed the law ratifying the new START Treaty between the United States and Russia that makes new cutbacks to the two countries’ strategic offensive weapons. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will exchange instruments of ratification very soon. 

Dmitry Medvedev visited a housing complex being constructed in the Podolsk County, Moscow Region, and examined construction plans for building housing for military personnel in various regions of Russia.

Dmitry Medvedev signed Federal Law On Ratification of Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Kingdom of Spain on Transit of Military Equipment and Personnel via Russian Federation Territory in Connection with Participation by Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Spain in Efforts to Stabilise and Rehabilitate the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Dmitry Medvedev signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus on the Development of Defence Cooperation.

Dmitry Medvedev signed Federal Law On Ratification of Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the French Republic on Transit of Military Equipment and Personnel via Russian Federation Territory in Connection with Participation by Armed Forces of the French Republic in Efforts to Stabilise and Rehabilitate the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Dmitry Medvedev said that he has signed the law on the federal budget for 2011 and the 2012–2013 budget plan focused on economic modernisation and the social programmes maintenance.

Dmitry Medvedev congratulated the officers on their promotions and appointments and wished them success in serving the country. 

The ongoing reforms of the Armed Forces have already lead to their better equipment and improvement in social guarantees for servicemen, despite certain problems, the Commander-in-Chief said at a meeting with participants in the assembly of Armed Forces commanders.

During a trip to Stavropol Territory, Dmitry Medvedev visited an Interior Ministry’s motorised battalion base, where he spoke with the servicemen and reviewed the arms and equipment the unit has at its disposal.