Putin supports continued military draft

MOSCOW, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he agrees with parliament's decision to cut the length of military service while keeping the draft.

The country needs a modern and professional military, Putin said. He spoke to members of the United Russia Party in parliament, the Novosti news agency reported.

"The State Duma has made a weighted and absolutely right decision to cut the service term to 12 months, while maintaining the military draft," Putin said.

Putin has increased military spending, which is expected to rise 16.3 percent between 2007 and 2008 to $36.8 billion -- and to $45.5 billion by 2010. At the same time, he has cut the size of the military to 1.1 million members.

At the meeting, Speaker Boris Gryzlov said the budget is divided equally between maintaining the military and modernizing it.