Russia's Putin threatens to aim missiles at Europe
Russia's Putin threatens to aim missiles at Europe
President raises stakes in interview about U.S. anti-missile sites
The Canadian Press
Published: Sunday, June 03, 2007TORONTO - Russian President Vladimir Putin is stepping up Cold War style rhetoric, threatening to aim potentially nuclear-armed missiles at Europe.
The Globe and Mail reports on its website that the conflict is over U.S. plans to build an eastern European anti-missile site aimed at downing any missiles that could be launched from Iran.
The Globe interviewed Putin at his summer home outside Moscow, ahead of next week's G-8 summit in Germany.
Putin says he considers the anti-missile plan a provocation aimed at his country.
He told the paper the system is a part of the American "strategic nuclear potential," which requires Russia to act to maintain the global strategic balance.
Asked how he might do that, Putin said he would return Russia to Cold War status where missiles were aimed at European targets.
"It is obvious that if part of the strategic nuclear potential of the United States is located in Europe, and according to our military experts will be threatening us, we will have to respond," he said.
"What kind of steps are we going to take in response? Of course, we are going to get new targets in Europe."
He suggested this could include powerful nuclear-capable weapons.
"What kind of means will be used to hit the targets that our military believe are potential threats to the Russian federation? This is a purely technical issue, be it ballistic missiles or cruise missiles, or some kinds of novel weapons systems -- this is a purely technical issue."
george dubya bush:
"I will answer the question. I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue."
"I was able to get a sense of his soul; a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country. And I appreciated so very much the frank dialogue."