MOSCOW - Russia must be prepared for all possible outcomes, and the country's armed forces must be ready to repel any potential military aggression, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
The Russian leader made the remarks while overseeing the launch of the active phase of the large-scale Ocean 2024 strategic command and staff exercise, which he said was the largest naval exercise in the past three decades, the Kremlin reported.
"Russia must be prepared for any development of the situation, and our armed forces must ensure the reliable protection of the sovereignty and national interests of Russia," Putin said, adding that the country's armed forces must be ready to counter any potential military aggression on all fronts, including in the ocean and sea zones.
The president stressed that the United States is seeking to achieve a military advantage with its aggressive actions, and is ultimately undermining the existing security architecture and disrupting the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region.
"In fact, the United States is provoking an arms race, disregarding the security of its European and Asian allies, and creating the preconditions for a dangerous crisis in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region," Putin warned.
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He said that Washington and its allies are increasing their military presence near Russia's western borders, in the Arctic, and the Asia-Pacific region.