Russia will ensure its national interests and the protection of its allies, and strengthen its armed forces, announced Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"As before, Russia actively supports its allies and partners, and improves the existing mechanisms of international security and creates new ones, strengthens the national armed forces and other security structures. We will continue to ensure our national interests and protect our allies, take steps to build a more democratic world where the rights of all nations are secured," Putin said.

According to him, the collective West is purposefully violating the European security system. As per Putin, the US rudely interferes in the internal affairs of sovereign countries, plots provocations and coup d'états, and forces other countries to submit to its will.