Posted on 05/10/2006 1:03:35 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Vladimir Putin has pledged to build up Russia's military to rival "fortress" America, and insisted the Cold War arms race is far from over.
In an unexpectedly belligerent state of the nation address on Russian TV, the Russian president accused the US of putting its own interests before its democratic ideals, and compared the country to a voracious wolf.
"We are aware what is going on in the world," he said.
"Comrade wolf knows whom to eat, he eats without listening, and he's clearly not going to listen to anyone."
He added: "It is premature to speak of the end of the arms race. It is in reality rising to a new technological level."
Mr Putin's combative speech comes days after Dick Cheney, the US vice-president, accused Moscow of rolling back democracy and threatening its ex-Soviet neighbours.
Last month US senators visiting Moscow said Russia's slide towards authoritarianism and stance on the Iranian nuclear crisis may undermine the country's bid to join the World Trade Organisation.
In his speech, Mr Putin said the government would strengthen the nation's nuclear deterrent as well as conventional military forces without repeating the mistakes of the Cold War era, when a costly arms race against the US drained Soviet resources.
Russia's military budget is 25 times lower than that of the US.
"We need a military that is able simultaneously to carry on battle in global, regional and, if need be, several local conflicts," he said.
The president also pledged action to counter Russia's acute demographic crisis, calling on members of parliament to vote money for more generous birth bonuses and childcare subsidies.
He said: "I am convinced that with such an approach, you will earn words of gratitude from millions of mothers, young families, all the citizens of our country."
Russia's population dropped by 4 per cent to 142.7 million between 1993 and 2006, according to the Health Ministry.
Put the vodka bottle down Vlad.
and you gotta problem with that Rooty Pooty?........
Well one can say the bear's out of the bag.
Okey dokey. Didn't know anyone said it was over.
Pute is on the loose...guess GWB was wrong about Pute.
A hollow threat. Russia is passing away before our eyes. The demographic die has already been cast. As I recall, it will have just 80 million people in 50 years.
There was another article posted here where Putin was praising the US for remaining on an active footing and upgrading the military. Most Russian systems are beyond their design life and need a massive overhaul. With the nuttiness growing on their southern borders, can't blame them for wanting to upgrade.
I wonder if they'll build a wall to to keep their enemies out again.
Guess he wants a second chance at winning the cold war.
As I said on the other thread - all the Putinophiles here must be really desperate these days. :-)))
How many did Hitler's Germany have?
they feel white trash rich with 70 dollar oil.
"Mr. President, we cannot allow a mine shaft gap!"
General Buck Turgidson
You have that right. Russia = much land and shrinking population, China = rising population and shrinking resources (land). Putin is living in fantasyland if he doesn’t realize that that Chinese on his door step are much more of a problem than the United States across thousands of miles of water are.
I believe before this is over we will find that Putin and Ahmendinejhad are blood brothers and one is as nutty as the other.
"Comrade Wolf"?
The RWC is going to have a tough row to hoe here. This is going to take more spin than a clothes dryer convention.
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