Russia is not threatening anyone and will always prefer peaceful solutions to international conflicts, President Vladimir Putin has said, adding that military forces are still important as a guarantee of national sovereignty.

"We are not threatening anyone and we seek to resolve all conflict situations through political means, with respect towards the international law and other nations' interests," he stated on Thursday in his speech before graduates of military academies. Putin emphasized in his speech that Russia was an open country, ready to cooperate with any nation on equal conditions.

The Russian leader added that he saw many challenges to the country, including some in the immediate vicinity of Russia's borders. And these challenges were the main reason the country needed strong, modern and adequately armed military force, he said.

"This is a guarantee of Russia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, a guarantee of peaceful and calm life of millions of our compatriots," Putin said promising that the authorities will continue the support of the military and complete the ongoing major reform of the forces.