Putin gears up for Russia-US "arms race"
Thursday, 31 May 2007 19:45
Vladimir Putin's stance is becoming increasingly confrontational
Russian president Vladimir Putin has said Russia is engaged in an "arms race" with the US caused by American "imperialism".
Speaking in a joint press conference with Greek president Karolos Papoulias in Moscow, Mr Putin accused the US of acting provocatively in ways which undermined Russian national security.
His criticisms focussed on the US' installation of an anti-ballistic missile shield in eastern Europe, rejecting American claims it is being used purely as a defensive military deployment.
"What we are supposed to do? We can't just sit back and stare at them doing that," he said.
Mr Putin emphasised that ballistic missile tests carried out this week, which the Russian military claims is capable of getting past the US defences, should not be interpreted as being motivated in hostile terms.
"There is no reason to fear these actions by Russia - they are not aggressive. It's merely a response to tough and unfounded unilateral actions by our partners," he insisted.
Instead Mr Putin blamed several countries for their alleged distortion of international law, in a clear attack on the US.
His comments follow similar remarks distancing Russia from the international community in recent months. Earlier this month an EU-Russia summit stalled over disagreements over protesters and a trade dispute involving Poland.
And in April he warned the US against the risk of "mutual destruction" caused by the European missile interceptors, warning that Russia would take "appropriate measures" to secure itself against the threat.