Putin vows to strengthen military capability

Russian president Vladimir Putin vowed today to strengthen his country’s military capability and intensify spying abroad.

The move is in response to US plans to build missile defence sites and deploy troops in eastern Europe.

“The situation in the world and internal political interests require the Foreign Intelligence Service to permanently increase its possibilities, primarily in the field of information and analytical support of the country’s leadership,” Mr Putin said at a meeting with senior military and security officers in the Kremlin.

He mentioned American plans to station its military forces in eastern Europe and Washington’s intention to deploy missile defence sites in Poland and the Czech Republic as top security challenges to Russia.

Washington says the prospective missile defence facilities are needed to counter missile threats from Iran, but Mr Putin maintains they pose a threat to Russia.