Russia: We’ll pull out of START if U.S. missile defense weakens our arsenal
Duma international affairs committee chairman Konstantin Kosachyov said the amendments would “restore balance” after the U.S. Senate irked Russia with its interpretations of the treaty.
The amendments stipulate that Russia could withdraw if military deployments or even plans by the United States or NATO jeopardize its security.
They highlight lingering rifts over U.S. plans for a European anti-missile shield and Russian concerns over other weapons it fears the United States or NATO could deploy.
A missile system that weakens Russia’s nuclear arsenal would “force us to use the article of the treaty that provides for the withdrawal of a state that feels violated in terms of security,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the Duma, Interfax reported.
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This agreement is a joke – pull out and build our missile defense – to hell with Russia.
jake-the-goose on January 14, 2011 at 1:04 PM
Once again Palin was right.
the_nile on January 14, 2011 at 1:07 PM
Bye
Schadenfreude on January 14, 2011 at 1:08 PM
So Russia actually thought that non-binding preamble was binding? Who would have thought it.
DFCtomm on January 14, 2011 at 1:08 PM
They really don’t want to give up the ability to nuke us. I’d prefer it if they couldn’t. The only reason we should have a treaty is to make it harder for them to nuke us, not easier or cheaper. The treaty is worthless.
zmdavid on January 14, 2011 at 1:09 PM
In soviet russia, treaty pulls out of you.
The Mega Independent on January 14, 2011 at 1:12 PM
Promise?
TexasDan on January 14, 2011 at 1:13 PM
I think they’re actually worried that their proxies like NORK and Iran cant threat USA if there’s a shield.
the_nile on January 14, 2011 at 1:16 PM
Now tell us something we didn’t already know.
jeanie on January 14, 2011 at 1:17 PM
Go ahead! Withdraw! I double dare you!
honsy on January 14, 2011 at 1:18 PM
Well…. bye.
Enoxo on January 14, 2011 at 1:20 PM
Good thing we all needed to get on board with this even though whoever we enter into it with has no intention of keeping their end up.
Smart diplomacy.
Good Lt on January 14, 2011 at 1:21 PM
Sure glad we got that jammed through in the lame duck session. Lord knows what might have happened if we waited.
a capella on January 14, 2011 at 1:21 PM
Ever get the feeling, Russia planned this all along, and just wanted to play Obama for the fool he is? LOL
capejasmine on January 14, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Feeling hell, most of us knew it last summer.
darwin-t on January 14, 2011 at 1:26 PM
Russia has a Duma.
We have a Duma$$. Actually, several of them. They are called Democrats.
UltimateBob on January 14, 2011 at 1:29 PM
The Dems haven’t cornered the market on dumbazzes
darwin-t on January 14, 2011 at 1:31 PM
hey Russia, don’t threaten us with a good time.
Daemonocracy on January 14, 2011 at 1:57 PM
The good news is that their ability to nuke us has been greatly degraded thanks to their inability to service their missiles. They know they can’t afford to keep up bomb for bomb with us so they seek to limit our nuclear forces by treaty.
I just wish someone in our government would make the case for nuclear weapons. 65 years of relative peace is a pretty good track record.
Bill C on January 14, 2011 at 2:02 PM
If we really wanted to destroy Russia all we have to do is issue visas to every healthy Russian woman between the ages of 18 and 22. It would have the added benefit of destroying feminism in our country.
Bill C on January 14, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Way to go Obama you naive idiot.
He is exactly who we thought he was.
WisCon on January 14, 2011 at 2:05 PM
thread winner
fiatboomer on January 14, 2011 at 2:08 PM
lol, awesome
Daemonocracy on January 14, 2011 at 2:15 PM
Obama is not naive. His goal is to weaken America. If the other guys stay strong it only helps his efforts.
Missy on January 14, 2011 at 2:16 PM
I’m fairly certain Zero is literally the ONLY one who didn’t see this coming.
stvnscott on January 14, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Please do us a favor and pull out.
tommer74 on January 14, 2011 at 2:42 PM
Oooooh! Don’t throw us in THAT briar patch, massa Putin!
mojo on January 14, 2011 at 3:07 PM
Think he’ll mention this at the SoTU?
ctmom on January 14, 2011 at 3:12 PM