NNA - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that certain "ill-wishers" were stepping up efforts to destabilise Russia and urged members of his cabinet not to allow this "under any circumstances".

He said Russia's Security Council would discuss ensuring security in the context of what he said were "extremely important" issues concerning relations between the vast country's 190 ethnic groups.

"Today, we will also be addressing these issues in terms of ensuring Russia's security, in this case domestic political security," he said.-- Reuters

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