Putin says Russia's military doctrine 'remains purely defensive'

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during his annual end-of-year news conference in Moscow December 18, 2014. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia's military doctrine "remained purely defensive" despite what he said was NATO's increased activity in east Ukraine and nearby Russia's borders.

"We will stand up for our security consistently and firmly," Putin told a meeting with Russia's Defence Ministry.

(Reporting by Polina Devitt; Writing by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Dominic Evans)