Russia vows to maintain defense capability

Russia comes in favor of minimizing the significance of force, but the priority task is to maintain its defense capacity, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Saturday on the eve of the national Victory Day holiday.

"While we remember the lessons of the past war, we are clearly aware that, despite positive changes that have taken place in the military and political situation, the world is still not free frominstability, wars, or armed conflicts," Ivanov said during commemorations marking the anniversary of the end of World War II.

"For this reason, maintaining the capability of the country at the necessary level is unquestionably a priority task," he noted.

"Though we consistently stand for the minimization of the significance of military force in seeking solutions to international problems, we realize full well that highly professional and effective armed forces alone can give a complete and unquestionable guarantee for the attainment of Russia's foreign policy goals," Ivanov said.

Victory Day is one of the most important dates on Russia's calendar, as the nation mourns Soviet losses, estimated at 27 million people, that outnumbered those of any other country in World War II.

Earlier Saturday, President Vladimir Putin laid a wreath at theTomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin walls.

Source: Xinhua