Russia to set up missile shield in Venezuela [View All]

[AlphaCentauri]

In retaliation for US plans to station interceptors and radars in Eastern Europe, which Russia says could threaten its security, Kremlin is allegedly said to explore more far-reaching options to dissuade Pentagon from its intention.



Some experts see the cues that Russia could resort to more decisive actions while the US stated that it would proceed with its plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe whether or not any agreement is reached on an alternatives and arguments suggested by Russia.
The long-strained relations have further deteriorated after the NATO plans about Georgia and Ukraine.
Also, analysts appeared to claim that Russia stands behind Belarus’ recent multi-bullion dollar deal with Venezuela to set up an air defense system, the South American country that has been dynamically upgrading its naval fleet and coastal defenses to counter a possible U.S. blockade of its oil fields and prepare for direct military confrontation with Washington.
The deal envisions setting up a national air defense shield and modern communications system over the next six years.
"The deal will also help us pursue our other interests in Venezuela," said top military official of Belarus, commenting on the issue. Venezuela has already purchased aircrafts and weapons from Russia against the backdrop of its policy towards Washington.
The retaliatory efforts by Russia are seen as tantamount to the Caribbean missile crisis of the 1960s.
The 1962 stand-off was triggered when US screening aircrafts discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba.
Kremlin’s then move to deploy these weapons in Cuba was at the time seen as a response to the build-up of powerful US missiles in Europe.
Oil was poured onto the troubled waters only when Soviet leader Khrushchev agreed to dismantle the bases in return for guarantees that Washington would not attack communist Cuba.
Now, Russia said the relations would not get as tense as it was attained during the Cuban crisis although relations were also to some extent eroded after the stance pursued by several western powers on Kosovo.
Russia’s response to recognize the independence of separatist regions of Georgia also emerged as a point worsening relations.
Against the backdrop of the current relations, some experts insist that Russia has recourse to reconsider cooperation with foes of the United States while some analysts don’t go so pessimist about the developments.
The US insists its plan to install radar and interceptor systems Poland and Czech Republic is not directed against Russia. The Moscow warned the West that "adequate and prompt measures" would be taken in response.
“In violation of previous agreements, certain NATO members are building up their resources next to our borders. Russia cannot remain indifferent to the obvious muscle-flexing on our doorstep,” President Putin told generals in a meeting broadcasted on state television a few months ago.
Russia’s chief of general staff Yuri Baluyevsky also said the missile shield the United States intends to build in Central Europe is unquestionably aimed at Russia but nobody.
”If the Americans deploy the tracker systems and interceptors, they will certainly be directed against Russia, and we have easy proof in hand. In the issue of missile defense system, Iran is a pretext invented by the United States to get ready against Russia,” he said.
Analysts also think there is no so-called Iranian threat looming on the horizon because Iran is not capable of developing such long-flying missiles to hit the United States.
“European missile shield….is certainly not directed against Iran”.
However, the US think-tank, the Nuclear Threat Initiative, says: "Iran presently enjoys the capability to use ballistic missiles or long-range artillery rockets against its regional neighbors, Israel, and US forces deployed in the region”.
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