Russia plans military bases outside its borders

Russia plans military bases outside its borders
February 27, 2014 - 10:51 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia is planning to expand its permanent military
presence outside its borders by placing military bases in a number of
foreign countries, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday, Feb
26, according to RIA Novosti.
Shoigu said the list includes Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, the
Seychelles, Singapore and several other countries.
"The talks are under way, and we are close to signing the relevant
documents," Shoigu told reporters in Moscow.
The minister added that the negotiations cover not only military bases
but also visits to ports in such countries on favorable conditions as
well as the opening of refueling sites for Russian strategic bombers on
patrol.
Moscow currently has only one naval base outside the former Soviet Union
– in Tartus, Syria, but the fate of this naval facility is uncertain
because of the ongoing civil war in that country.
Post-Soviet Russia closed a large naval base in Vietnam and a radar base
in Cuba in 2002 due to financial constraints.
However, Russia has started reviving its navy and strategic aviation
since mid-2000s, seeing them as a tool to project the Russian image
abroad and to protect its national interests around the globe.
Now, Moscow needs to place such military assets in strategically
important regions of the world to make them work effectively toward the
goal of expanding Russia's global influence.

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