Vladimir Putin: Russia has no imperial ambitions

Russia has no imperial ambitions. As Rosbalt was informed by the press office of the Russian president, this was announced by Vladimir Putin at a press conference in Plesetsk yesterday. 'The Russian army is not being strengthened and modernized with aggressive intent but in order to provide greater security for Russian people and to ensure that our country is able to develop in stability and peace,' he stressed.

The president also insisted that the international community must work together to fight terrorism, prevent the proliferation of WMD and to resolve local conflicts.

Mr Putin praised the work of servicemen currently involved in naval training in the Barents Sea. He mentioned that there have not been military exercises on such a large scale for almost 20 years.