Putin calls for revision of Russia's national security policies

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged adjustment of the country's national security strategy to let Russia be better positioned in countering new external challenges and threats, according to an online statement of the Kremlin.

"First of all, it is necessary to quickly analyze the whole spectrum of potential challenges and risks in sectors of politics, economy, information and so on. Based on these analyses could we make adjustments to Russia's national security strategy," said Putin, while presiding and addressing a security council meeting held in the day.

Putin said Russia would continue to carry out exchange and cooperation with different countries on the basis of mutual respect and taking each other's interests into consideration but with a prerequisite of no endangering of Russia's sovereign rights and security.

He also pledged Russia is committed to advancing economic integration of nations on the Commonwealth of Independent States and to advocating improved cooperation with members on BRICS, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and with member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The West has failed to split the Russian society using sanctions, claimed Putin, who stressed the countermeasures adopted by his government have played an active role in stabilizing domestic economy, finance, and employment in Russia. He said Russian enterprises have learnt to expand business under unfavorable circumstances, coupled with a steady growth of important strategic sectors, and a good implementation of important projects that have a bearing on the livelihood of the people.

Russia extended the import ban on certain food products from the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and Norway in late June, in response to the renewal of anti-Russian sanctions imposed by western countries over Moscow's alleged intervention in the Ukraine crisis, an accusation Russia has vehemently denied. Endite