"Military bases serve as an instrument in the military policy, which in its turn serves as an instrument in the foreign policy," he noted. "Therefore, it is necessary to have military bases in the regions, where the proper balance of forces must be sustained and interests of military and economic security must be provided for," he added.
"In order for Russia to find its place in the sun, the country must not only adjust itself quickly in the sphere of the economy, but to demonstrate its military muscles as well. Therefore, Russia either must have military bases in a number of regions on the post-Soviet area, or must enter agreements enabling the country to rapidly deploy its military contingents," Kokoshin said.
At the same time, Kokoshin believes that there is no need in the near perspective to deploy Russian military bases in the non-CIS countries.
Speaking about Russia's demand to increase the term of the Russian bases withdrawal from Georgia from 3 up to 10 years, Kokoshin stated that such demand is determined by economic reasons. "Russia has its own problems concerning the modernization of the Army, which consequently lead to high expenses. Therefore, it would be convenient for Russia to take its time, when fulfilling its program, concerning the withdrawal of military bases from Georgia," Andrey Kokoshin noted.
