OREANDA-NEWS   For the first time since February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin has gathered permanent members of the Security Council for a face-to-face meeting instead of an online format. 

"We have a planned issue today: the Ministry of Emergency Situations proposes to discuss issues of improving civil defense. Let's start working," Putin said at the beginning of the meeting.

According to the photos posted on the president's official website, the meeting was held in a hall in the Kremlin. The event was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and others.

The last Security Council meeting of this type took place nine months ago. After that, on February 21, Putin signed decrees on the recognition of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (TNR and ONR), as well as treaties on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with the republics.