Dmitry Medvedev threatens US over planned missile defence shield

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This is getting more than scary....

Dmitry Medvedev threatens US over planned missile defence shield


Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president embraced the fiery rhetoric of the Cold War threatening to target and if necessary destroy America's planned European missile defence shield once it is built.




A Russian Topol-12M mobile nuclear missile

n what may be the most serious blow to US-Russia relations since President Barack Obama came to power, Mr Medvedev raised the prospect of Russia launching missile attacks on European Union member states such as Poland, Romania and Spain as well as Nato member Turkey.

"I have given the armed forces the task of drawing up plans to destroy the information and command and control systems of the (US/Nato) anti-missile shield," he said.



"Our Nato partners are not for now showing any readiness to take our concerns about the architecture of the European missile shield into account, something which convinces us that their plans are aimed at Russia." Upping the ante further, he said Russia's anxiety was so great that it would reserve the right to tear up existing nuclear arms control treaties and halt talks about new treaties.



The White House immediately rebuffed Mr Medvedev, making it clear Washington would not be altering its plans in any way.



"We will not in any way limit or change our deployment plans in Europe," said Tommy Vietor, a National Security Council spokesman. "In multiple channels, we have explained to Russian officials that the missile defence systems planned for deployment in Europe do not and cannot threaten Russia's strategic deterrent."


The shield that Russia objects to so strongly is designed to shoot down missiles from rogue states such as Iran but is years away from being operational. Turkey, Poland, Romania and Spain have all agreed to join what is a diluted version of a controversial plan first proposed by former President George W. Bush.


The Kremlin has dismissed US assurances as meaningless and initially demanded and was refused the right to be an equal partner in the project.
In practice, that would have meant granting Moscow so-called "red button" rights, giving the Russian military an operational say in when and if a rogue missile was physically shot down.


Giving America's former Cold war foe such a big say in such a sensitive military system was regarded as politically unacceptable in Washington which has tried to repair damaged Russian pride by offering to share detailed information about the system.


But Russia has rejected those overtures and is now demanding legally binding guarantees from Washington that the new system will never be used against Russia.


Mr Medvedev, who is due to step down from the Russian presidency next May in favour of his mentor Vladimir Putin, did not therefore pull his punches. ......................

Full Article


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Russia Retaliates Against US: Puts Radar Station On Combat Alert, Prepares To Take Out European Missile Defense Systems


Earlier today, we presented the latest developments in the escalating possibility of an imminent air (and potentially land) campaign targeting Syria by the "western world", a move that would infuriate not only Iran, but also Russia and China, both of which have made it clear they would not sit idly by and let such an "aggression" stand. Now it is Russia's turn to retaliate. Cutting straight to the chase - in a nationally televized appearance by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev: in response to what the Russian believes is an active incursion and a potential act of eventual aggression on behalf of NATO countries in Eastern Europe (and hence the US), he he said the following (7 minutes in):

"First, I am instructing the Defense Ministry to immediately put the missile attack early warning radar station in Kaliningrad on combat alert.

Second, protective cover of Russia's strategic nuclear weapons, will be reinforced as a priority measure under the programme to develop out air and space defenses.

Third, the new strategic ballistic missiles commissioned by the Strategic Missile Forces and the Navy will be equipped with advanced missile defense penetration systems and new highly-effective warheads.

Fourth, I have instructed the Armed Forces to draw up measures for disabling missile defense system data and guidance systems if need be...

Fifth, if the above measures prove insufficient, the Russian Federation will deploy modern offensive weapon systems in the west and south of the country, ensuring our ability to take out any part of the US missile defense system, in Europe.

One step in this process will be to deploy Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad Region.

Other measures to counter the European missile defense system will be drawn up and implemented as necessary. Furthermore, if the situation continues to develop not in Russia's favor we reserve the right to discontinue further disarmament and arms control measures. Besides, given the intrinsic link between strategic offensive and defensive arms, conditions for our withdrawal from the New START Treaty could also arise." That said, he concludes that Russia is still open to dialog. However, if Obama merely intends to bomb any nation at will, we are very much concerned that everything Medvedev has just threatened will be enacted. And exponentially more so when Putin comes back in charge. One thing is certain - Russia is not North Korea, and taking this speech for more empty jawboning is probably not the wisest option.


Full must watch address to the public: for English closed captioning hit the CC button.



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I have to admit how impressed I am with Russian Tires. Who manufactures em for the Russian military?