Russia’s president Vladimir Putin on Thursday proposed launching a large-scale program to rearm the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) forces with Russian weapons, Izvestia reports.

“We propose starting a large-scale program to arm the [CSTO] collective forces with modern Russian weapons and equipment that have proven their effectiveness in real combat operations,” the Russian leader said at the CSTO’s expanded meeting.

According to Putin, Russia plans further cooperation with its allies on all matters related to strengthening the CSTO’s military potential.

It is noted that the current priority areas of development are increasing the combat readiness of CSTO national troop contingents and improving the management of the CSTO collective forces.

To note, Armenia also is a member in the CSTO, but it has frozen its attendance to the events of this organization.