CIAO DATE: 03/2010
November 2009
Finnish Institute for International Affairs
In November 2009, the ‘Law on Amendments to the “Law on Defence”’ proposed by President Medvedev entered into force. It allows the Kremlin to dispatch troops outside Russia for four purposes: to counter armed attacks against Russian armed forces, other troops and bodies deployed beyond its borders; to counter or prevent armed attack against another country if this country has requested Russia to do so; to protect Russian citizens abroad from an armed attack; and to combat piracy and guarantee the safety of shipping.
Resource link: Medvedev's amendments to the law on defence: The consequences for Europe [PDF] - 853K