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President Putin told the conference that the global geopolitical situation remained involved, that the balance of powers had been upset, and a new international security system had not yet been established.

He said the Russian Armed Forces had to focus on combat and mobilisation readiness, and that the entire military organisation had to be overhauled. The Russian leader said an ambitious rearmament programme would be implemented, and that a long-term military-technical policy was currently being drafted for this purpose.

President Putin said the Army’s potential now had to be adapted in order to conduct counter-terrorist operations, and that powerful forces relying on innovative technologies and capable of accomplishing the entire range of counter-terrorist objectives would be established.

Mr Putin noted the important role of the Russian Armed Forces in stabilising the situation in the Chechen Republic. He said the republican situation had changed drastically, that the people were returning to normal life, and that the regional military presence would be reduced. The Russian leader said it was important to strengthen Chechen law enforcement and security agencies and police divisions.