Putin: Russia prepared to arm regional allies

MOSCOW, Nov 27 (KUNA) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has lauded Kyrgyzstan's efforts in its chairmanship of the Collective Treaty Organization affirming desire to supply "the allies with defense capacities." The Kremlin said in a statement on Thursday that Putin who was speaking in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, during a meeting of the organization, stated that signatory states of the treaty should maintain readiness to "deal with any aggression." The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is a military alliance of six post-Soviet states: Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Belarus.
As to prospects of Armenia's joining the treaty, Putin said "participation is a sovereign decision respected by the organization's states." On a US plan to resolve the Ukrainian-Russian crisis, Putin said it included "controversial issues" hoping it would turn into a substance for "future treaties." He confirmed that a US delegation would visit Moscow next week to discuss a possible settlement of the crisis.
Washington has begun taking into consideration some of Russia's stands on the issue, Putin added.
On the Russian troops' field status, Putin said his forces maintained "positive momentum" on the fronts and declared encirclement of three towns in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian forces "lost 47,005 troops in October, amid mounting numbers of deserters from the army," according to Putin.
Coupling diplomatic rhetoric with threats, Putin warned that his forces would drive the Ukrainian troops from "territories of the Russian federation through negotiations or force." Russia is seeking international recognition of its "new territories," he said, adding that such a recognition from the Americans regarding Donbas and Crimea should part " of the dialogue." (end) dan.rk