Russia is thinking of aiming nuclear weapons at western Europe
for the first time since the end of the cold war, according to
defence sources in Moscow.
The move is being considered in response to American plans to
develop a defence shield against missiles from Iran and other
countries.
The plans under discussion include the possible deployment of
ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave between the
European Union countries of Lithuania and Poland. Kaliningrad has
been nuclear-free since America and Russia agreed to scale back
their nuclear arsenals at the end of the cold war.
A Russian parliamentary committee visited the enclave 10 days
ago to examine how a new generation of nuclear missiles could be
based there. Any such deployment would significantly escalate
tensions in Europe between Moscow and Washington.
Condoleezza Rice, America’s secretary of state, signed an
agreement in Prague last week to build a radar station in the Czech
Republic. The station is an important part of the US missile
shield. Washington says the shield will defend Europe and America
against attacks from rogue states such as Iran and North Korea.
Another deal, for Poland to host a base for 10 interceptor
rockets on its border with Russia, is expected to be concluded
later this year.
Moscow is bitterly opposed to the shield, saying that it is part
of an aggressive US military expansion into its own back yard.
“One of the main steps under consideration is a redeployment of
nuclear missiles to Kaliningrad and Belarus,” said a source with
close connections to the Russian defence ministry.
“These missiles would be pointed at Europe. It would be a
perfectly legitimate step. If America wants to expand its military
capabilities in Europe, then we have the right to act
accordingly.”
The source disputed America’s claim that the shield was intended
to intercept missiles only from rogue states. “How would Washington
feel if we placed interceptor missiles on Cuba or Venezuela?” he
said.
Experts said the threat of deploying missiles in Kaliningrad was
largely aimed at fuelling opposition to the shield in Poland and
the Czech Republic, where oil supplies to its refineries from
Russia fell sharply last week.
It would require Russia to build new long-range ground-based
ballistic missiles since it has destroyed most of its Soviet-era
arsenal.
“We take the possibility of missiles being redeployed against
Europe very seriously and are aware of the discussions about
Kaliningrad,” said a western diplomat. “But we also think there is
some bluff involved. The Kremlin is banking on one thing — that the
shield won’t see the light of day before President George W Bush
leaves the White House next year and it could be scrapped after
that.”
Russia’s angry response dispelled any illusion that under Dmitry
Medvedev, its new president, the Kremlin would be any less hardline
than it was during Vladimir Putin’s presidency. Putin, now prime
minister, is widely viewed as Russia’s most powerful man.
Any hope that relations between Russia and Britain, which are at
their worst since the end of the cold war, might improve following
Gordon Brown’s meeting with Medvedev at the G8 summit last week was
short-lived.
On Friday the Russians accused a British diplomat of being a
spy. The claim followed accusations in Britain that the Russian
state had been involved in the polonium poisoning of Alexander
Litvinenko, the former KGB agent, in London in 2006 — which Moscow
denies.
The FSB, the former KGB intelligence service, claims British
spies are the world’s most aggressive in covert operations against
Russia. It also suspects the British Council, a cultural
organisation, of being a front for intelligence.
“Britain and Russia are in the middle of an intelligence
battle,” the western diplomat said. “New president or not, it will
take a long time to repair relations. More cold war spy scandals
are very likely.”
i hope we build em' all over europe in any country that wants defensive missles. russia hasn't helped a whit with the iranian nuke problem,in fact they've been helping them.russia wants the u.s. to be a sitting duck against any rogue regime. there will be war btween the us and russia/china/iran
doug, l.a., u.s.
The YANKS wont be happy until they have achieved world domination fare play to the Russians surely whats good for the goose
glenn, brighton, uk
United States is the country that brought this problem into Europe, not Russia. US see Russia rising, economy and businesses having key roles in Europe and now the US together with its traditional ally UK are desperate to have their past "Atlantic" influence restored. Looks like the time is up.
yomi, europe,
I think the military companies are paying president bush to restart the cold war, just so they will get contracts from a nervous congress
Christopher, White PLains, U.S
The US needs to keep Europe safe from Iranian aggression. The problem is is that Russia is sticking up for Iran and is soft on solving the tensions with Iran in a serious matter. As for the missile shield, it should be placed somewhere else like Turkey.
Sam, Clarkston, USA
The US can posture all it wants, and Russia can posture all it wants, but the reality is that the US is heading towards economic bankruptcy because it imports 70% of its oil, and Russia is the world's biggest exporter of oil and gas. For background on the situation, see www.pickensplan.com.
Victor Panlilio, Calgary, Canada
OK. Someone made a VERY valid point: had Russia tried to station a nuclear arsenal, say (for the sake of argument), along canadian or mexican border, there would be no end to the outrage. It is simply a matter of not sovereignity.
Lylia, Halifax,, Canada
to erin, from virginia, the states of europe never owed the americans a dime for the ERP or marshall plan. that money was given out to those states which complied with the united states' political agenda and all of the money was spent in the united states.
james, toronto,
the US is putting its hands in all directions when its military itself is so much scattered. Bush calls for peace at one time and plans to make a defence shield on the other hand. what is he trying to do? It can cost the US dearly, as the Russians may also do something similar.
Deep, Darjeeling, India
So we want to defend against Iran/Syria? As its easier to hit a missile in the boost phase, it should be based in Israel. This ABM system exists because were fighting a war with enemies who are no friends of Russia. Its time to recognize Russia for what she could be to the west-a powerful ally.
Alex, York,
The U.S. brought the cold war back to Europe.
Chris, Potsdam, Germany
you're mixing up two different conflicts in one article
frank, edinburgh,
Never ever TRUST Russia !!
Who told me ? My Polish Mother-In-Law did when i first met her in 1993. Poles will never trust the Russians after what the Soviet Union did to Poland & Eastern Europe from 1939 - 1989. Russia has got away with murder as a former occupier & never paid for its cruelty !!