SOCHI, November 7. /TASS/. The West provided support to the terrorist group al-Qaida (banned in Russia) when it was fighting against Russia in the North Caucasus, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.

"Russian people, experts who are in this room, also remember full well what forces were behind the terrorists in the North Caucasus, what was the source and quantity of their weapons, money, moral, political, ideological, and media support. It was al-Qaida. So al-Qaida is bad in general, but when it fights against you (Russia - TASS), it's fine," he said.

According to Putin, Russia’s goal at the time was to use all means to hold the country together.

"Of course, in the interests of all the peoples of Russia, despite a most difficult economic situation following the 1998 crisis and devastation, the country came together and repelled the attack of terrorists, and then defeated them," he said.

The president said that he recalled that time because once again "some people got this idea into their heads that the world would be better without Russia.".