Vladimir Putin Says Financial And Economic Transparency Of Armed Forces Must Be Enhanced

"The financial and economic transparency of the Armed Forces must be essentially enhanced," Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday at an annual meeting of the Russian Armed Forces command at the Ministry of Defence. The president said this refers "among others, to the system of military supplies, economic activities, and rational use of resources." "It is necessary to get rid of irrelevant property, which has no relation to the Army's tasks and which absorbs much money," Putin said. He pointed out that "the tasks we have set ourselves for this year have remained unfulfilled." The president emphasised the need to enhance the mobilisation readiness of the Army, especially general-purpose forces.