The leaders of the largest European countries have hailed the decision made by the Obama administration. German chancellor Angela Merkel called the US move a positive signal to help overcome difficulties in relations with Russia. She made this note on Friday upon her arrival in Brussels, where the EU leaders have gathered ahead of the G20 summit in Pittsburg in the US.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown also said that he strongly supported the US move, which would promote progress in the nonproliferation issue in the near future:
I strongly support the decision that has been made by President Obama today. I think it shows that there is more trust developing between the nuclear power nations. And nonproliferation remains a very high priority for the United Kingdom.
His French counterpart, President Nicolas Sarkozy, called the decision of US President Barack Obama extremely wise.
After finding out that the US will scrap its plans to site a radar base in the country, the mood among the majority of the population in the Czech Republic is one of relief and happiness.
The radar was supposed to be located around three hours drive south-west of the capital city Prague, and there has always been fierce resistance in the Czech Republic to these proposals, with some 70% of the countrys population against the move.
Activists in the Czech Republic have been fighting long and hard to ensure their voices are heard.
Barack Obama realized that this really was a step in the wrong direction, Jan Tamas of the Non-Violence movement told RT. It was not improving the security situation in Europe or in the world, and it was actually bringing us closer to a potential conflict or, perhaps, even a Third World War.
I also think he realized that it was very much damaging to relations with Russia, and that it was counterproductive for US interests as well. he added. This is a really big victory for the Czech people.
The officials in Prague say they are confident about their countrys security. According to the Foreign Minister Jan Kohout, his country gets all the safety that it needs from being a NATO member.
While the news was welcomed in the Czech Republic, there is a feeling of discontent towards the government among some of the population. They feel that the Czech government has largely ignored their calls, and that it was the US and not their own government that ultimately made the decision.
//// Russias Defence Ministry confirms Moscow will not place Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region near Poland. Previously, Russia intended to deploy them in response to US plans for its AMD shield in Eastern Europe.
Washington, however, has now dropped its Bush-era plans.
In a reciprocal move, Russia said it could abandon plans to deploy tactical missiles in its Baltic exclave in response to the US decision to drop its missile shield plans for Eastern Europe.
Russias Ministry of Defense said on Saturday that after the US reassessment of the anti-missile shield there is now no need for the stationing of an inventory of Iskander missiles in the countrys Kaliningrad Region.
The Iskander missile has a range of 280 kilometers and constantly changes its trajectory in flight, which helps it penetrate the enemys air defenses. Each missile vehicle has two missiles that can be launched at different targets with a one minute interval.
The Obama administration says that the decision to change its plans on missile defense is not about making concessions to Russia or asking for concessions from Russia. Rather, it is based on a reassessment of global security threats, particularly those coming from Iran, which is something Russia has been calling on for years.
The report from US intelligence says the Iranian long-range missile program is progressing too slowly and is not dangerous at the moment, and the more immediate threat comes from Irans middle and short-range missiles.
Commenting on the decision of Obamas administration, President Medvedev said The fact that such signals are coming is very good. This shows that our American partners are at least willing to listen to Russia's reasoning and position. It shows they're willing to talk and take decisions aimed at easing the situation.
Medvedev pointed out that We were against the idea of a US missile shield in Eastern Europe from the very beginning. And if this idea is not realized in its original form it would be very good for Europe and for Russian-American relations.
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TELEVILSION PART 23 WILL THERE BE AN ATTEMPT ON OBAMA? PART 4by THEYLIVE201221,624 views
leave Russia alone the cold wars over just bomb iran thou.
omega4chimp 1 year ago
Lots of "Patriots" here . do not seem to understand ( and yes I own weapons)
When one makes a threatening action. There is indeed a response.
Is peace possible?
I hope so.
michaelispan 2 years ago