Speaking during a visit to the new headquarters of the Armed Forces General Staff Chief Intelligence Directorate, President Vladimir Putin noted the particular role the Russian intelligence services play in ensuring the country’s national security.
The international situation today places a number of demands on the intelligence services, and Mr Putin noted in particular the need to focus efforts on the fight against international terrorism and on cutting off and liquidating the channels that fund it.
At the same time, the President said, the way that the world’s leading countries are increasing their arsenals and modernising offensive weapons, is also an issue that requires close attention, as does the issue of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Mr Putin emphasised the inadmissibility of allowing the components of weapons of mass destruction to fall into the hands of terrorist organisations.