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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Russia 'must counter US defences' | Russia 'must counter US defences' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Russia needs "to develop offensive weapons systems" to counter US missile defences and maintain the strategic balance, PM Vladimir Putin says. | Russia needs "to develop offensive weapons systems" to counter US missile defences and maintain the strategic balance, PM Vladimir Putin says. |
| Otherwise, the United States would feel "completely protected" and able to "do whatever they want". | Otherwise, the United States would feel "completely protected" and able to "do whatever they want". |
| The US this year dropped controversial plans for missile defence bases in the Czech Republic and Poland, but said it would develop other defensive systems. | |
| Mr Putin said such plans were hindering nuclear arms reduction talks. | Mr Putin said such plans were hindering nuclear arms reduction talks. |
| Russia and the US are yet to find a successor to the Cold War-era Start I treaty, which expired on 5 December. | Russia and the US are yet to find a successor to the Cold War-era Start I treaty, which expired on 5 December. |
| The 1991 treaty led to deep cuts in nuclear arsenals on both sides. | The 1991 treaty led to deep cuts in nuclear arsenals on both sides. |
| Both sides have agreed to continue observing Start I until they reach a new agreement. | Both sides have agreed to continue observing Start I until they reach a new agreement. |
| Under a joint understanding signed in July, deployed nuclear warheads should be cut to below 1,700 on each side within seven years of a new treaty - a huge cut on Soviet-era levels. | Under a joint understanding signed in July, deployed nuclear warheads should be cut to below 1,700 on each side within seven years of a new treaty - a huge cut on Soviet-era levels. |
| Nonetheless, between them the two countries will retain enough firepower to destroy the world several times over. | Nonetheless, between them the two countries will retain enough firepower to destroy the world several times over. |
| 'Correct and brave' | 'Correct and brave' |
| "To preserve the balance, we must develop offensive weapons systems, not missile defence systems as the US is doing," Mr Putin said during a visit to Russia's Far East. | "To preserve the balance, we must develop offensive weapons systems, not missile defence systems as the US is doing," Mr Putin said during a visit to Russia's Far East. |
| "The problems of missile defence and offensive arms are very closely linked. | "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," the Russian premier added. | "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," the Russian premier added. |
| Mr Putin did not say what kind of offensive weapons Russia was seeking to develop. | Mr Putin did not say what kind of offensive weapons Russia was seeking to develop. |
| Earlier this month, President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia would continue to develop new nuclear missiles and launchers despite the disarmament talks, describing this as "routine practice". | Earlier this month, President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia would continue to develop new nuclear missiles and launchers despite the disarmament talks, describing this as "routine practice". |
| In September, Mr Putin described as "correct and brave" a decision by US President Barack Obama to shelve controversial missile defence bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. | In September, Mr Putin described as "correct and brave" a decision by US President Barack Obama to shelve controversial missile defence bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. |
| Mr Obama did, however, say Washington would develop new ballistic missile defences elsewhere, including a sea-based system. | Mr Obama did, however, say Washington would develop new ballistic missile defences elsewhere, including a sea-based system. |
| He said the US still needed a programme to defend the US against missiles from "rogue states" like Iran. | |
| Moscow had long objected to plans by the administration of former-President George W Bush to base a missile interceptor system close to its borders, calling it a threat to its security. | Moscow had long objected to plans by the administration of former-President George W Bush to base a missile interceptor system close to its borders, calling it a threat to its security. |