All big private companies and state-owned enterprises must be ready to increase output of military products, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a Wednesday meeting with senior officials from the Defense Ministry and defense industry where the Zapad-2017 strategic drills were discussed, Finanz.ru reported citing the Kremlin press service.
General Petr Pavel, head of NATO's Military Committee says there's reason to be concerned about the large-scale Zapad 2017 military maneuvers being conducted now by Russia and Belarus, since they could be seen as "a serious preparation for big war," Voice of America reports citing the official's interview with the Associated Press.