"In the current situation, we have to maintain military presence
in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific, as well as the
Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico," Shoigu told the council,
which composed of the armed forces chiefs of staff,
representatives of government security agencies and civilian
defense officials.
"This is connected to the situation in Ukraine, with the emerging
anti-Russia inclinations on the part of NATO and the increasing
foreign military presence in the immediate vicinity of our
borders," Shoigu said.
The defense minister also said conditions in Ukraine "dictate the
necessity to maintain readiness of troops" in Russia's Southern
Military District, which borders eastern Ukraine, and that
Crimea would be reinforced with "full-fledged and selfsufficient" defense capabilities.
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