Vladimir Putin attacks US missile defence
BBC News
December 29, 2009
US plans for a missile defence shield are holding up a new nuclear disarmament treaty, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said.
Russia and the US are yet to find a successor to the Cold War-era Start I treaty, which expired on 5 December.
Analysts say Moscow wants a clause in the new treaty that would limit the scale of any US defence shield.
The US has shelved plans for missile defence stations in Central Europe, but intends to use a sea-based system.
Asked by a reporter what was the biggest problem blocking a new treaty, Mr Putin said: “What is the problem? The problem is that our American partners are building an anti-missile shield and we are not building one.”
“By building such an umbrella over themselves, our [US] partners could feel themselves fully secure and will do whatever they want, which upsets the balance,” the Russian premier added.
He said that “to preserve the balance, we must develop offensive weapons systems”, but did not specify what kinds he had in mind.
Earlier this month, President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia would continue to develop new warheads, delivery vehicles and launchers despite the disarmament talks, describing this as “routine practice”.
Russia and the US are negotiating in Geneva on the details of a new treaty. Last week, the Russian foreign minister said a deal was very close. …
