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Putin vows to strenthen Russian arms
In a tough speech outlining his vision for Russia to 2020,
Putin accused the West of ignoring Moscow's concerns on
security by expanding the NATO military alliance to its borders
and deploying a missile defense system in Central Europe."It is already clear that a new arms race is unfolding in
the world. It's not our fault, we didn't start it," Putin told
government, business and military leaders at the Kremlin, three
months before his presidency is due to end."In effect, we are forced to retaliate...Russia has and
always will have a response to these new challenges," he added.
Apparently referring to plans for new nuclear-capable
missiles, Putin said "over the next few years Russia will start
production of new types of weapons which...are in no way
inferior to what other states have and in some cases are
superior."
The new "arms race" Putin says, is part and parcel of a growing global scramble for resources.
"Under the disguise of turgid declarations about freedom
and open society, sometimes the sovereignty of certain states
and whole regions is being destroyed," Putin said, in an
apparent reference to U.S. policy in the Middle East and in
particular the war in Iraq.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 10:35 on February 8th, 2008
cynthia yoo, Russia is a tad concerned over Iran launching of rockets into space trials in their quest to send a communications satellite into orbit, if they can do that they can certainly send ballistic missles as well anywhere they want. Also Iran trying to develop Nuclear generation for it's ever expanding cities and population also has Russia and other countries concerned that Iran may be a Nuclear nation with Nuclear bombing capability. Of course the instability of its Islamic Leader and his diatribes against Western powers and Israel doesn't sit well with Putin, for they could be next on Irans hitlist, even though Russian and Iran are trading powers. My opinion as a far right conservative if Iran will launch ballistic or nuclear missles? Not likely, as they have other pressing issues to deal with, and it's people most likely would be in an uproar if it's government tried such idiocy, Iranians may be a lot of things, but self annihalation is not one of them. Iran is growing, they have no natural resources to generate power, they need power, Nuclear energy is the way of the future, barring any terrorists trying to blow it up,or steal it technology or uranium, perhaps that fact worries many in the middle east being one of the most unstable regions in the world. Try telling that to Russia and Western Powers though. Russia has oil and gas lines running along it's southern borders which it needs to claim it's soveriengty on.
Defence is it's only weapon, as dialogue with terrorists has always been a futile non issue.
at 10:44 on February 8th, 2008
Hey Cynthia,
Though unsurprising - this is all sounds very ominous - like a warning to the U.S., since Russia has a current trade relationship with Iran.
Worldwide opinion has already turned against America feeling that it is the cause of all things evil - and dumb. American policies are seen as self-serving and the aid money that is pumped into other countries (supposedly from our own coffers,) comes from loans that leave the States with an unprecedented deficit.
Our troops are slowly being obliterated with fewer and fewer of America's sons returning from Iraq and European, Asian and Middle Eastern opinion is damning the States further and further to Hell.
We are no longer seen as the Great Country - but a nation who watches it's own back to the detriment of all others.
America is in trouble - and sinking.
~ Swan
at 17:56 on February 8th, 2008
wall at the Denis Simachev Bar
Moscow,Russia
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