Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said plans by the US for a missile defence system in Europe were hindering talks on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty.
Mr Putin said the plans would destroy the strategic balance between the US and Russia.
He added that Russia wanted more information on the US missile defence plans, which it would link with the new nuclear treaty.
He went on to say that Russia must develop offensive weapons systems to counter US missile defence plans.
‘To preserve the balance, we must develop offensive weapons systems, not missiles defence systems as the United States is doing,’ Putin was quoted as saying on a working visit to Russia's Far East.
He continued,‘The problems of missile defence and offensive arms are very closely linked.'
‘By building such an umbrella over themselves our (US) partners could feel themselves fully secure and will do whatever they want, which upsets the balance.’
