Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is quoted as saying that Russia must develop offensive weapons systems to counter U.S. missile-defense plans.
State news agencies quote Putin as saying that to preserve the balance of power "we must develop offensive weapons systems, not missile-defense systems as the United States is doing."
Putin, speaking on a visit to Russia's Far East region, described missile-defense systems as expensive and unproven.
He said they upset the balance of power by giving a false sense of security and making "our partners" feel they can "do whatever they want."
Putin's remarks come as Moscow and Washington are negotiating a successor accord to the START nuclear disarmament treaty, which expired December 5. The treaty set limits on both sides' nuclear arsenals.
Putin also said that U.S. plans for a missile-defense system are the main obstacle to agreeing a new nuclear disarmament treaty.
The two sides say they are close to agreeing a successor accord to the START treaty, which expired in early December, but have yet to reach a deal.
Asked by a reporter what the biggest problem was in the talks, Putin said the problem was that "our American partners are building an anti-missile shield and we are not building one."
In September, U.S. President Barack Obama scrapped Bush-era plans to place elements of a missile-defense system in central Europe.
Obama's revised plans foresee a more mobile system of missile interceptors at sea and on land.
compiled from agency reports
State news agencies quote Putin as saying that to preserve the balance of power "we must develop offensive weapons systems, not missile-defense systems as the United States is doing."
Putin, speaking on a visit to Russia's Far East region, described missile-defense systems as expensive and unproven.
He said they upset the balance of power by giving a false sense of security and making "our partners" feel they can "do whatever they want."
Putin's remarks come as Moscow and Washington are negotiating a successor accord to the START nuclear disarmament treaty, which expired December 5. The treaty set limits on both sides' nuclear arsenals.
Putin also said that U.S. plans for a missile-defense system are the main obstacle to agreeing a new nuclear disarmament treaty.
The two sides say they are close to agreeing a successor accord to the START treaty, which expired in early December, but have yet to reach a deal.
Asked by a reporter what the biggest problem was in the talks, Putin said the problem was that "our American partners are building an anti-missile shield and we are not building one."
In September, U.S. President Barack Obama scrapped Bush-era plans to place elements of a missile-defense system in central Europe.
Obama's revised plans foresee a more mobile system of missile interceptors at sea and on land.
compiled from agency reports
