KHIMKI (MOSCOW REGION), October 7 (RIA Novosti) - In light of the current standoff with the West over Ukraine, Russia's defense industry and the armed forces must become a pillar of support to the president, along with diplomats and politicians, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Tuesday.
"Today, those who boost the power and strength of the state must stick together and become a pillar of support to our president, who leads the country confidently in this difficult situation," Rogozin said at a meeting with the heads of the defense enterprises in the Moscow region.
Rogozin stressed the importance of consolidating the power of the state in the face of Western sanctions and said the defense sector would also help diplomats and politicians to do their job providing solutions to both internal and foreign policy issues.
Following Crimea's reunification with Russia, the United States and the European Union have introduced several rounds of economic sanctions against Russia, blaming Moscow for meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs — claims that Russia has repeatedly denied. The sanctions also targeted Russia's defense industry.
In response to the sanctions, Russia has taken measures aimed at replacing some imports from Western countries with local alternatives.
The Russian government is also working on a comprehensive import substitution program to replace Western components used in the country's defense industry affected by the sanctions. The program is expected to be implemented in October.
