SOCHI. Oct 22 (Interfax) - The activities of private military companies (PMCs) abroad do not reflect the interests of the state, this is a private business, and if their activities are at odds with Russian laws, Russia will react, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"You said there are some private companies. This is not a state. They do not reflect the interests of the Russian state. And if they are somewhere not on the Russian state's orders, this is a private business, private interests, in particular, associated with resources, gold, I don't know, precious gems," Putin said at the Valdai International Forum on Thursday.
He thus answered a question from one of the participants regarding the presence of Russian PMCs in Mali.
"But if this [the activity of companies] appears to run counter to the interests of the Russian state, and this happens, unfortunately, then we, of course, have to react to this. And we will do it," Putin said.