U.S. Rejects Russia's Concerns On Missile Shield

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The U.S. Tuesday brushed aside concerns raised by Moscow regarding its planned missile defense system. Earlier, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had blamed the U.S. for hindering nuclear arms reduction talks between the two countries, saying the biggest problem in the talks was that "our American partners are building an anti-missile shield and we are not building one."

In a statement, the State Department said the two issues were completely separate, and discussions would continue separately. It added that the joint position of the two nations, recognizing the inter-relationship between defensive and offensive weapons systems had not changed.

The U.S. and Russia have held seven rounds of negotiations so far to sign a new treaty aimed at replacing the cold war-era Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START I, which expired on December 5.

During the latest round in Geneva earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the U.S. delegation of slowing down talks.

The Moscow understanding calls for reducing nuclear warheads held by each country to 1,500-1,675 and delivery vehicles to 500-1,000 by the end of 2012.

Abandoning of Washington's European missile defense plan was the main condition set by Moscow to consider major cuts to its nuclear arsenal. The US has decided to scrap land-based missile defense in Central Europe, but plans to use a sea-based system.

Meanwhile, BBC reported that Russia's nuclear arsenal is the only part of its military that remains world-class. Hence Russia fears that it could be disadvantaged by cuts to nuclear capability. ''Putin's comments could be a negotiating ploy, rather than a reversal of Russia's commitment to a treaty,'' it added.

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