MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. NATO’s buildup near Russia’s borders is no longer a figure of speech or a set of standard threats. In a situation like this Moscow must be prepared for the risk of aggressive actions, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, said at a meeting of the presidium of the Science and Education Council on Tuesday.
He pointed out that in the current strained situation both science and engineering were crucial to maintaining national security. He explained he was referring to innovative research and development, geared to maintaining the country’s defenses and countering the "most serious threats" facing Russia.
"First and foremost, there is an attempt to build up NATO’s presence near our borders. Today this is no longer a figure of speech or a set of standard threats. We must be prepared for aggressive actions that may happen," he stated.
Medvedev pointed to the need for building up a system capable of providing the country with cutting-edge military hardware.
"This will require reliable high-tech equipment, both military and dual-purpose one," he stressed.
It goes without saying, Medvedev said, that this equipment will not emerge out of nowhere, in particular, at a time when sanctions are imposed on the country."
"Creating this hardware is the job of specialists, who are trained at universities and research centers," he recalled. "It is the training of such specialists that must enjoy the closest attention."
Medvedev stressed that this is an issue of not so much technological independence as the country’s survival.