MOSCOW. Nov 12 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the creation of Russian military bases has strengthened the collective security system in Central Asia.
"The deployment of Russian military bases has significantly strengthened the collective security system in Central Asia. It is obvious that with its help an environment for neutralizing terrorist and extremist attacks is being created," Putin said at a Defense Ministry meeting on Wednesday.
He said that the defense potential of Russia and the country's allies in strategic southern areas is generally increasing.