Posted on 02/08/2008 9:19:05 AM PST by Ivan the Terrible
Vladimir Putin accused the West of triggering a fresh arms race today and gave warning that Russia was now rich enough to respond with a new generation of high-tech weaponry.
President Putin attacked the United States and Europe for expanding Nato close to Russia's border at a time when Moscow had closed military bases abroad. He said that Russia would stand up to the West and defend itself against US plans to establish a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe.
“A new arms race has started to unfold,” Mr Putin told ministers and regional governors in a televised address. “It's not our fault, we didn't start it...funnelling multibillions of dollars into developing weapons systems.
“We are being forced to take retaliatory steps. Russia has, and always will have, a response to these new challenges. In the near future, Russia will start production of new weapons systems that will not be inferior and in some cases excel those held by other countries.”
Mr Putin also accused Western governments of seeking to gain control of the vast energy reserves that have fuelled Russia's booming economy. He said: “Many conflicts, foreign policy actions and diplomatic moves smell of oil and gas. Behind all that there often is a desire to enforce an unfair competition and ensure access to our resources.”
The President has clashed repeatedly with the US over its plan to install ten interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic. Washington says that the shield is intended to prevent attacks from rogue states such as Iran, but Moscow insists that its own security is threatened.
Mr Putin is also at odds with the West over independence for Kosovo. He pulled Russia out of a landmark European arms control treaty in December after accusing Nato of bad faith in failing to ratify the agreement.
“Nato itself is expanding. It's approaching our borders. We drew down our bases in Cuba and in Vietnam. What did we get? New American bases in Romania, Bulgaria,” Mr Putin told the State Council.
In a combative speech, he also set out plans for Russia's development until 2020 in a clear indication that he intends to remain in control long after the election as president on March 2 of his anointed successor, Dmitri Medvedev. He plans to serve as Prime Minister under Mr Medvedev, who is campaigning on a promise to continue “Putin's Plan”.
Mr Putin said that Russia was respected again after his eight years in power, adding: “I know there is a lot left to do, but the course has been set.”
Bush needs to look into Putin’s eyes again. He has no soul.
Didn’t the USSR try that? And didn’t it bankrupt them — while still producing virtually nothing that could stand up to our miltech?
Go for it, Putin. Drive Russia right into the ground, you evil POS. BTW, somehow I don’t think the Russian people will like the results. And they tend to have a very direct way of dealing with such things. When the new Russia, same as the old Russia (USSR) thanks to you, Putin, decides they’ve had enough of your crap, you’ll only have yourself to blame for how badly it ends for you...
The old arms race never ended...it was just temporarily suspended.
Putin, you are ringed with American/NATO bases precisely because your Russia is the same bully it has always been. Romania, Bulgaria and Poland have had enough of you.
No one who can manufacture, maintain nor operate are existing or will exist for the foreseeable future.
I don’t see the Russians going outside of Russia for equipment and private contractors.
It’s all just more internal consumption Mau-Mau BS from the worlds coldest third world country.
“What did we get? New American bases in Romania, Bulgaria”
Difference is, those countries WELCOMED our presence.
"the storage facility in Sayda Bay is intended to hold submarine 120 reactor sections. It is planned to build a facility with the name “Regional Center for Disposition and Storage” – for 40 reactor sections and for 18 “large objects” – by which are meant ships that had accidents but for the cutting up of which into manageable sections the technology does not yet exist. "
Bluster, exactly. Our defense budget is 10x larger than theirs. The Russian population is shrinking and the Chinese are looking for Lebensraum.
Yup, pretty much sums it up. Just wanted to comment on this line:
“...but for the cutting up of which into manageable sections the technology does not yet exist.”
Maybe not in Russia, but the tech for this certainly exists in the West...
Bring ‘em on....its about time to end their rhetoric.....
Russia’s general Jack D. Ripper.
blah-blah-blah (Russian accent)
Yes, but they don't have ticking time bombs of medicare and social security to worry about paying for.
Appears the arm the terrorist plan is working well and the next step is to push from the Fatherland...IMO we need to beaware of the BEAR and their allies in the Demoncrat Pary!
Bring it on!
The Chinese don’t need it, but they can do it just because they wanna’.Whos gonna stop Hsu? Not us!
Baku has always been the eye of the hurricane for Russia since oil was first produced from there. Which Euro oil companies are bidding this time? Royal Dutch? BP? Watch out for those Turks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.