MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. The strategic nuclear forces remain one of the key instruments of sovereignty defense, so Russia will continue to support their potential and balanced development, President Vladimir Putin said at the year-end meeting of the Defense Ministry’s board.

"Undoubtedly, strategic nuclear forces remain one of the key tools for preserving stability and protecting Russia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will continue to support their potential and balanced development," he pointed out.

Russia will also continue to work on the development of new systems for its deterrence forces, Putin noted.

He called for keeping non-strategic nuclear forces on permanent alert.

"It is important to keep non-strategic nuclear forces on constant alert and to continue the practice of holding exercises," Putin pointed out.