Plans by the United States to develop a missile defense system have been seen by Russia as a potential threat to its own nuclear arsenal, causing the former communist country to rethink its role in what would be a major nuclear arms treaty. The new deal, dubbed "START," is a major part of President Obama’s efforts to improve relations with Russia and to control arms production in the coming years. The deal went into effect last week and limits the countries to 1,550 strategic warheads, which represents a drop from the previously established number of 2,200.
What the treaty does not do, however, is prevent either country from developing missile defense shields. Russia, however, has noted that it will exercise its right to withdraw from the treaty if the U.S. does take action to ramp up its current missile defense systems. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov noted that such a move on the part of the U.S. would prompt his country to reconsider.
Noted Ryabkov, "if the U.S. increases the qualitative and quantitative potential of its missile defense, a question will arise whether Russia should further abide by the treaty or would have to take other measures to respond to the situation, including military-technical measures." Russia has long been against U.S. efforts to develop missile shields in Poland and the Czech Republic and was pleased with Obama’s decision to end those plans. Still, it remains to be seen how this will play out with new plans in place in the U.S. to protect against missile strikes.
What the treaty does not do, however, is prevent either country from developing missile defense shields. Russia, however, has noted that it will exercise its right to withdraw from the treaty if the U.S. does take action to ramp up its current missile defense systems. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov noted that such a move on the part of the U.S. would prompt his country to reconsider.
Noted Ryabkov, "if the U.S. increases the qualitative and quantitative potential of its missile defense, a question will arise whether Russia should further abide by the treaty or would have to take other measures to respond to the situation, including military-technical measures." Russia has long been against U.S. efforts to develop missile shields in Poland and the Czech Republic and was pleased with Obama’s decision to end those plans. Still, it remains to be seen how this will play out with new plans in place in the U.S. to protect against missile strikes.
