Medvedev in missile threat over US shield
Source: Agencies |
November 24, 2011, Thursday
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IF Washington continues to ignore Russia's demands about a proposed US missile shield in Europe, Russia will deploy new missiles aimed at it and put arms control on hold, President Dmitry Medvedev said yesterday.
The tough statement reflected a growing strain in US-Russian ties, despite President Barack Obama's campaign to "reset" American relations with the Kremlin, which were strained by years of tensions over US foreign policy and the 2008 Russian-Georgian war.
Medvedev said he still hopes for a deal on the US missile shield, but he strongly accused the US and its NATO allies of ignoring Russia's worries.
The US has repeatedly assured Russia that its proposed missile defense system wouldn't be directed against Russia's nuclear forces, but Moscow has demanded legally binding assurances, and Medvedev did that again yesterday.
He warned that Russia will station missiles in its westernmost Kaliningrad region and other areas, if the US continues its plans without giving Russia firm legal guarantees that the shield isn't directed at its nuclear forces.
The US missile defense dispute has long tarnished ties between Moscow and Washington. The Obama administration says the shield is needed to fend off a potential threat from Iran, but Russia fears that it could erode the deterrent potential of its nuclear forces.
"If our partners tackle the issue of taking our legitimate security interests into account in an honest and responsible way, I'm sure we will be able to come to an agreement," Medvedev said. "But if they offer us to 'cooperate,' or, to say it honestly, work against our own interests, we won't be able to reach common ground."
Moscow has agreed to consider a proposal NATO made last fall to cooperate on the missile shield, but talks have been deadlocked over how the system should be operated.
Medvedev also warned that Moscow may opt out of the New START arms control deal with the US and halt other arms control talks, if the US proceeds with the missile shield without meeting to Russia's demand.
The New START has been a key achievement of Obama's policy of improving US relations with Moscow.
The Americans had hoped that the treaty would stimulate progress further ambitious arms control efforts, but such talks have stalled over tension on the missile plans.
Medvedev's envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, said that the Kremlin won't follow the example of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and take unwritten promises from the West. "We won't allow them to treat us like fools," Rogozin said. "Nuclear deterrent forces aren't a joke."
The tough statement reflected a growing strain in US-Russian ties, despite President Barack Obama's campaign to "reset" American relations with the Kremlin, which were strained by years of tensions over US foreign policy and the 2008 Russian-Georgian war.
Medvedev said he still hopes for a deal on the US missile shield, but he strongly accused the US and its NATO allies of ignoring Russia's worries.
The US has repeatedly assured Russia that its proposed missile defense system wouldn't be directed against Russia's nuclear forces, but Moscow has demanded legally binding assurances, and Medvedev did that again yesterday.
He warned that Russia will station missiles in its westernmost Kaliningrad region and other areas, if the US continues its plans without giving Russia firm legal guarantees that the shield isn't directed at its nuclear forces.
The US missile defense dispute has long tarnished ties between Moscow and Washington. The Obama administration says the shield is needed to fend off a potential threat from Iran, but Russia fears that it could erode the deterrent potential of its nuclear forces.
"If our partners tackle the issue of taking our legitimate security interests into account in an honest and responsible way, I'm sure we will be able to come to an agreement," Medvedev said. "But if they offer us to 'cooperate,' or, to say it honestly, work against our own interests, we won't be able to reach common ground."
Moscow has agreed to consider a proposal NATO made last fall to cooperate on the missile shield, but talks have been deadlocked over how the system should be operated.
Medvedev also warned that Moscow may opt out of the New START arms control deal with the US and halt other arms control talks, if the US proceeds with the missile shield without meeting to Russia's demand.
The New START has been a key achievement of Obama's policy of improving US relations with Moscow.
The Americans had hoped that the treaty would stimulate progress further ambitious arms control efforts, but such talks have stalled over tension on the missile plans.
Medvedev's envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, said that the Kremlin won't follow the example of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and take unwritten promises from the West. "We won't allow them to treat us like fools," Rogozin said. "Nuclear deterrent forces aren't a joke."
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