With Russia and the United States reportedly close to a new nuclear-arms reduction treaty to replace the expired START I agreement, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in effect said "We're not quite there yet" at a news conference in Vladivostok today (Tuesday). Specifically, U.S. missile defense plans remain a sticking point.
In response to a reporter's question about the biggest problem holding up a final agreement between the two countries, 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."
While the Obama administration has removed a major stumbling block to a final U.S.-Russia arms reduction treaty by scrapping plans announced under President George W. Bush to place interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic, the United States is continuing with plans to deploy a sea-based missile defense system. At the news conference, Putin said that Russia wanted more information on the plans for the defense system so that it could better design new offensive weapons systems.
Putin argued that this was necessary to prevent the Americans from developing a false sense of security if the United States proceeds with its current missile defense plans. The Russians fear that if the U.S. succeeds in building a nuclear missile umbrella, it will disrupt the balance of power between the two countries and encourage more aggressive American behavior.
It is not clear whether Russia is actually at work on an offensive weapons system or whether this was put forth as a bargaining chip to encourage the U.S. to rethink its missile defense plans. Putin did call those plans a major hindrance to talks on a new arms reduction treaty. Putin and Obama failed to seal a deal when they met on the side to discuss the matter during the Copenhagen climate summit.
Until the two sides can agree on a second arms reduction treaty, Putin said, they will continue to abide by the terms of the START I treaty, which produced deep reductions in both the Russian and American nuclear arsenals. That treaty expired early in December.
Read this story for an analysis of Putin's remarks.
Written by Sandy Smith
For HULIQ.com
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
