Russia’s S-400 Missile Defense System
Last week we blogged about Russia’s optimism that our new president is willing to discuss Russia’s objections to missile defense shields in Poland and the Czech Republic. The New York Times reports that NATO’s military exercises in Georgia are interfering with Russia’s discussions with the U.S.
Vladimir Putin said this about our agreements with the two countries:
“I don’t think you have to be an expert to see that if one side wants to or has an umbrella against various threats, it can begin to suffer from the illusion that it is permissible to do whatever it likes, and then its actions will become many times more aggressive and the threat of a global confrontation will reach a danger level.”
As Russia seeks to implement its missile defense agenda, the country recently celebrated its victory over Nazi Germany during WWII by exhibiting the new S-400 missile defense system. At the celebration, President Dmitri Medvedev issued another barely-veiled threat:
“Any aggression against our citizens will be met with appropriate resistance, and the future of Russia will be peaceful, successful and happy.”
The S-400 is designed to intercept missiles from low and high altitudes, according to a Russian military expert. (Source)
(Photo source: MissileThreat.com)
Tags: Czech Republic, Georgia, NATO, Poland, Russia, S-400, Vladimir Putin