Russia vows ‘appropriate’ response to US - Gayo Lues

“It would be better if our partners did not do this (implementing their missile system plans), because actions that could lead to the devaluation of our strategic nuclear capability will unavoidably provoke an appropriate reaction,” he told servicemen at a Russian airbase in the south of the country on Thursday, Reuters reported.

The Russian president also said that the plans have “some elements of an arms race” no matter what terms the American side uses to describe them.

Putin noted that Russia has every capability to deliver the proper response.

The comments come ahead of his first meeting with US President Barack Obama since he took office for the third inconsecutive term as Russia’s commander-in-chief. The two will meet at a G20 meeting in Mexico next week.

Moscow has repeatedly objected to the move, saying the would-be system in its “backyard” is not to secure Washington’s European allies, but is effectively aimed at Russia.

Moscow has called for the shared control of the system, but Washington refuses to share the responsibility for protecting NATO member states with a third party.

In return, Russia has threatened to aim a new generation of missiles at European military targets and deploy its own missile interceptors.

MN/HN