Medvedev Warns Of New Cold War Over Missile Defence

[Purveyor]

Source: Agence France-Presse

(AFP) – 6 hours ago

SKOLKOVO, Russia — President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday warned the West it would face a new Cold War if it failed to address Russia's concerns over a proposed missile defence shield for Europe.

Medvedev told reporters that the US decision to push ahead with construction of the missile defence system despite Russia's objections will force Moscow "to take retaliatory measures -- something that we would very much rather not do."

"We would then be talking about developing the offensive potential of our nuclear capabilities. This would be a very bad scenario."

The Russian leader also reaffirmed any earlier threat to pull out of the new START disarmament agreement that entered into force this year if the missile shield is deployed and operated without the Kremlin's input.

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[DontTreadOnMe]

1. Cold War?

seriously? Do the Russians think they can outspend us - so we both go bankrupt this time around.

Argument #1 = "You should not be spending billions on building weapons for a Defense Sheild in Europe. It does not make financial sense for the US right now.

Argument #2 = "If you build weapons, we are going to build weapons too!

Silly Medvedev, he needs to go to negotiating school.

[dipsydoodle]

4. They don't need to outspend the US

All they need to do is reprice their oil in a currency other than the US$ thus encouraging others to do the same.

[Nihil]

6. A kinder, gentler cold war.

No fear of sudden missile alerts, just a gentle bankrupting of the
country from the bottom up leading to starvation, rebellion and
destruction.

Aaahhh ... isn't that nice?
:yoiks:

[AlbertCat]

2. DON"T SAY THAT! you moron!

Conservatives world wide would LOVE a Cold War! They'll go for it!



(as usual, China is ignored.... the only "world power" with any money, it seems.)

[era veteran]

3. An internal message relating to the power struggle to come.

Putin v Medvedev will be interesting. Saber rattling.

[Baby Bear]

5. A Missile Shield is Destablizing

The problem is that a missile shield is only marginally effective. The Russians might reason that it would be sufficiently effective to protect US against a weakened retaliatory strike. In their view, it would tempt US and/or Europe to launch a first strike.

Considering our record since the end of the cold war, it is not an unreasonable fear.

The logical response to this perceived threat would be for them to go to a launch on warning posture which is much more risky for us. I think that is what they are threatening to do.