Russia warns US over missile-defence shield

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has threatened to quit a new nuclear arms reduction pact with the US, if it continues to build a missile defence shield in Europe.

He says he is also prepared to aim its new long-range Iskander missiles, armed with warheads, capable of foiling the shield at American command targets. The move places the US in a precarious position who says the systems are there to thwart its enemy, Iran.

Al Jazeera's Robin Forestier-Walker reports from Moscow.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• nuclear
• missile

[DesertRose0829]

I'm ashamed of US, Canada, UK, Israel, France, Germany, Italy. Hope didn't forget a country. Mainstream medias are spreading propaganda. Here in Canada it is horrible all the lies they spread 24/24. Today, Canada or puppet Harper is having a big show and congratulating soldiers who went to Libya to help kill innocent people. Russia, China know that the citizens of Canada, US & Europe are not responsible. Alot of people woke up from the propaganda. Too bad half of the planet is still sleeping!

[kurtilein3]

@melonberryable

no. mutual destruction is assured. If you have enough weapons to destroy the whole world 3 times, in 3 different ways, with intercontinental rockets, nuclear submarines, and nuclear stealth bombers, thats enough. Nicely distributed over air force, army and navy. All excess nuclear weapons are unnecessary.

But the missile shield would threaten mutually assured destruction, and would give the USA first-strike capabilities against russia (and china).

[SerratedXx]

@Positivectrl Why else wouldn't they want the EU to be safe from Iran? They don't have power over Europe and they don't have the right to threaten them over what they do on their own soil.

[melonberryable]

@Gr33kElite only 12% of the US population supports an intervention in Syria. The US knows Russia has just moved war ships into Syrian territorial waters...and they know what Iran has said as well as china, Russia " if you intervene in sryian affairs you will be dealt with swiftly and accordingly" The elites know this but they will still go ahead and attack. why? because they want WW3, they need to distract us from what is really going on. OWS protests, euro-zone collapse the ppl are WAKING UP

[Nickalispicalis]

I do not believe they are yet active. You are right though, Russia is surrounded. There is little point in " Negotiations" because the Americans are proceeding full steam no matter what Russia does.

Hopefully they have learned as result of the Gorbachev experience what spoken promises mean. The only thing NATO understands is strength. If you are weak, you end up Libya. If I was Assad, I would ask for Russian ground troops, along the borders, in addition to the best AA systems Russia has

[nuikaus]

There is no greater threat to Russia's plans for future than its neighbors' ability to defend themselves.

[Nickalispicalis]

@DesertRose0829 I live in Canada and feel likewise. Whoever would have thought that Canada would wind up with a Neo-Con government, but that is exactly what we have thanks to the corruption of the other political parties.

You look at similar governments in the UK and France and they really despised by the people. Although they try to express Bravado and strength, ie; Libya, in reality they are weak and shallow and only serve Corporate interest.

[shwtym1]

Medvedev words are very simple elections are upcoming and PUTIN IS GOING TO GET HIS PRESIDENCY BACK! So he doesn't want to weak to the voting people. Remember those missiles are in Bulgaria, Poland now. Just words.

[Positivectrl]

@SerratedXx why in the fucking hell would Russia invade Europe, tell me please at least 5 reasons, dear cretin. Let me help you. Maybe because Russians are drunk communist bums?

[Crazybenjiwoo]

@DesertRose0829 24/24.... dont you mean 24/7 ?

[roju0229]

Hey,luckily the u.s and russia are friends :].

[SerratedXx]

Russia doesn't want the defense shield because they are planning on invading Europe soon.