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Medvedev pledges to modernize Russia's armed forces

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-11 23:40

MOSCOW - Russia will make the modernization of its armed forces a priority, in view of the recent conflict with Georgia, President Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday.

Russian military vehicles are seen at a checkpoint near the Georgian Black Sea port city of Poti September 11, 2008. [Agencies]

"We must now focus on rearming the armed forces with modern weaponry and do it thoroughly and consistently, taking into account the recent problems," Medvedev said at a conference on the development of Russia's armed forces.

The decisions will undoubtedly be influenced by the crisis in the Caucasus and the recent Georgian attacks on South Ossetia, Medvedev said.

Talking about the terrorist attacks on the United States seven years ago, the Russian president called on the United States to cooperate with Russia in combating terrorism.

"The Russian Federation is ready for coordinated, full-fledged cooperation in fighting terrorism together with the United States and other countries," Medvedev said.