15/06 08:43 CET | EuroNews
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted that American missile defence plans for
Europe could spark an arms race. His latest attack on the system, due to be deployed by
2020, came during a visit to an air base in southern Russia.
Washington insists it is intended to counter a potential threat from Iran not Russia.
Moscow says interceptors that the US and NATO are deploying will be able to destroy its
own warheads in flight.
Putin said Moscow was ready to respond if necessary. “The combat potential of any
anti-missile system would be increased, and that means that we should react to this in due
course. Of course it would be better for our partners not to do this, because actions that
could lead to our strategic nuclear capability being devaluatued, will unavoidably provoke an
appropriate reaction.”
“Whatever you call it, this has some elements of an arms race,” he added.
Putin has also ordered the military to speed up work on a new strategic bomber aircraft.
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W0tH4lP5EKI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted that American missile defence plans for
Europe could spark an arms race. His latest attack on the system, due to be deployed by
2020, came during a visit to an air base in southern Russia.
Washington insists it is intended to counter a potential threat from Iran not Russia.
Moscow says interceptors that the US and NATO are deploying will be able to destroy its
own warheads in flight.
Putin said Moscow was ready to respond if necessary. “The combat potential of any
anti-missile system would be increased, and that means that we should react to this in due
course. Of course it would be better for our partners not to do this, because actions that
could lead to our strategic nuclear capability being devaluatued, will unavoidably provoke an
appropriate reaction.”
“Whatever you call it, this has some elements of an arms race,” he added.
Putin has also ordered the military to speed up work on a new strategic bomber aircraft.
