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Russian Army Vows Intensive Steps If US Quit ABM Treaty
Russia is closely watching the US actions over the 1972 anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaty and will take intensive measures if Washington quits the key pact of global strategic stability, Russian Air Force Commander Anatoly Kornukov said Tuesday.
"Russia keeps meticulous and strict observance of the treaty, but we are already prepared for an adequate response to the US' withdrawal from," the Itar-Tass news agency cited the general as saying.
The remarks came after Kornukov arrived in the Indian capital of New Delhi for attending an international air show.
Russia sees the US' plan of setting up a national missile defense (NMD) system as a move which would ruin the ABM treaty and world security, he said.
"The US' quitting the treaty will not help international detente and will lead to confrontation. Such a step will not find understanding among allies and friends of Washington," Kornukov said.
If the Pentagon "speeds up the implementation of the NMD program, the Russian side will surely take adequate and practical actions," he warned.
Russia will make best and fastest efforts to improve and modernize its anti-missile defense system if the U.S. breaks the ABM treaty, he predicted.
On the US' plan of setting up Theater Missile Defense (TMD) systems in East Asia, Kornukov said this would be fraught with " aggravation of tension" in the region and "far from the best variant" of its security.
If the US insists on establishing TMD, Russia will "take appropriate steps and help its friends in the region," he said.
The US attempts to involve South Korea, Japan and probably Taiwan, a province of China, in the TMD program.
The US NMD and TMD programs have encountered strong opposition of Russia and China, and also have been facing criticism from most Western allies. They argue that the programs will destroy the foundation of international security and global strategic balance, which has existed for nearly 30 years and still works well, and trigger a new wave of arms race in nuclear and space spheres.
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