MOSCOW, May 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia fully understands the serious responsibility it holds for global stability, the secretary of the country's Security Council said Thursday.
"As a nuclear power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia fully realizes its responsibility for global stability," Igor Ivanov said. "This is why we need a modern army capable of responding to modern threats."
President Vladimir Putin said in his state of the nation address Wednesday that the Armed Forces should be able to react to multiple threats, ranging from a traditional enemy attack or pressure exerted by another country to an attack carried out by international terrorists.
Ivanov, a former foreign minister, said the army should be able to guarantee Russia's security and territorial integrity, including with reliance on nuclear forces. He also said the army should be capable of global or regional restraint if need be.
Putin also said Wednesday the Armed Forces must be able to fight in global, regional and local conflicts simultaneously.
Ivanov said these targets would be a subject at the council's regular meetings, and that the council would draft a plan on how to attain them.
Putin's address also called on the government to continue a gradual transition to a professional army as part of military reforms, with the aim of having two thirds of the army manned by contract personnel in some 600 constant combat readiness units by 2011.
Ivanov said the council had held a special meeting in the middle of last year to highlight the military reform plans until 2015.
"A great deal has been done and a great deal remains to be done to bring our Armed Forces into line with modern challenges," Ivanov said.
