Moscow says US missile shield aimed at Russia

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Russia's top general said on Tuesday that US missile defence plans were directed against his country, and differences over the issue were holding up an arms treaty with Washington, Russian news agencies reported.

The renewed blast from Moscow raised questions about the chances of an early agreement on a successor to a Cold War-era nuclear arms reduction treaty that expired in December.

Interfax news agency quoted Russian armed forces chief of staff Nikolai Makarov as saying: "The development and establishment of the (US) missile shield is directed against the Russian Federation."

A US defence official rejected his comment. Washington has insisted its plans for a limited missile defence are intended to intercept a small number of warheads that might be fired by a "rogue state" such as Iran or North Korea.

US President Barack Obama pleased Russia by scrapping the previous administration's plans to deploy elements of a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, which was bitterly opposed by Moscow.

But Makarov said Russia still had serious concerns about Obama's revised plans, which are based on sea- and land-based missile interceptors in Europe, despite US insistence that they are no threat to Russia.

"Despite the declarations of those statesmen who say that, on the contrary, it provides for our security, that's far from the case," state-run RIA news agency quoted him as saying.

"For this reason it's completely understandable that we have a very negative attitude about this issue," Makarov added.

A US defence official in Washington, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said: "Those missile defence initiatives are not and never have been designed around Russian capabilities. We consider Russia a partner and friend in promoting stability and security in the region."

Russian and US officials have said they are close to agreement on a successor to the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty - a key part of efforts to improve relations that sank to a post-Cold War low after Russia's war with Georgia in 2008.

But Makarov said differences over missile defence were among reasons "why we have not yet reached a signing of this agreement," RIA quoted him as saying.

His comments also raised questions about whether Russia is ready to sign a treaty that makes little or no mention of missile defence - an issue Russia says is inextricably linked with offensive missiles.

Russia says it fears a US missile shield would weaken its nuclear deterrent and alter the balance of power between the Cold War foes, and has expressed reservations about agreeing to cut offensive weapons without limiting missile defences.

Washington has acknowledged a link between offensive and defensive nuclear arsenals but has said the new treaty will not place limitations on missile defence, which would severely jeopardise chances of the US Senate ratifying it.

Russia has sent mixed signals on whether it accepts that missile defence should be handled separately. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin raised uncertainty in late December by saying that U.S. missile defence plans were the deal's main obstacle.

Makarov met his US counterpart last month for what both sides said were productive talks on the treaty, and negotiations have continued in Geneva.

- Reuters