Exclusive: Putin threatens to target Europe with missiles

[CHIMO]

Source: Globe and Mail Update

In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to target Europe with missiles, including potentially nuclear weapons, in a dramatic escalation of his Cold War-style showdown with the United States.

Mr. Putin, in an interview at his country residence outside Moscow, said he considers U.S. plans to build an eastern European anti-missile site to shoot down Iranian missiles a provocation aimed at Russia.

Asked what he might do to retaliate, he said he would return Russia to the Cold War status where missiles were aimed at European targets.

"It is obvious that if part of the strategic nuclear potential of the United States is located in Europe, and according to our military experts will be threatening us, we will have to respond," he said.



Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070602.wputin01/BNStory/International/home

[wakeme2008]

1. Thanks Bushie... you wanted this right

:grr:

[Nickster]

2. YAY! The Cold War is back! /sarcasm

[aggiesal]

19. But, but, I thought Reagan ended the cold war and we won? N/T

[bluerum]

3. This makes us popular with the Europeans as well. eom

[SharonAnn]

9. First it ws for the Soviet Union now it's for Iran. Just a defense contractor boondoggle.

If Iran surrenders all nuclear technology tomorrow, then they'll make up something else that we need to be afraid of so we need to put the system in Europe.

The point is, the defense contractors and Pentagon want the missile defense system. And, they want it wherever they think they can get it justified.

[juno jones]

12. My guess is Putin

wants to bring exactly that thought home to the europeans. Times have changed a little since the temporary suspension of the arms race/cold war. We are no longer seen as liberators but as aggressors and oppressors. We have already overstayed our welcome in some countries after the revelation of the rendition and torture flights affecting their own citizens. I don't think Europe wants to be the US nuclear bargaining chip anymore and this could defineitly affect the already lukewarm European support for Iraq and our middle east goals in general- too much danger, not enough profit, and a bunch of crumbling mutual protection treaties with a rogue state run by a crazed decider guy. Since ballistic weapons are back on the table, I think Europe will be looking after themselves, fuck our stupid asses.

[stevedeshazer]

4. Bush, often compared to Reagan, has re-lost the Cold War?

The Bush Hat Trick:

Loses THREE wars

-Afghanistan
-Iraq
-Russia.

That's gonna be a record tough to beat. :eyes:

[Brundle_Fly]

20. Not exactly winning in Afghanistan either

so make it four.

[wtmusic]

5. But...but...the world is a safer place without Saddam Hussein

What a nitwit.

[AzDar]

6. Good. God. How ya likin' ol' Pooty-Poot now, Chimpy?

PLEASE IMPEACH, before he gets us all killed.:nuke:

[whistle]

7. Bush and Cheney have restarted the Cold War with 70,000 nuclear bombs in the U.S.

...arsenal to Russia's 35,000 updated MIRVs. Fire up Google Satellite Maps, it is going to be a hell of a fireworks show! The stupid bastards :wtf:

<snip>
Russia announces new multi-warhead missile
Moscow claims ballistic weapon can penetrate any missile defense system
Updated: 2:09 p.m. ET May 29, 2007

MOSCOW - Russia on Tuesday test-launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple independent warheads, and a top government official said it could penetrate any defense system, a news agency reported.

The new missile would modernize Russia’s stockpile at a time of rising tensions with the West.

The ICBM was fired from a mobile launcher at the Plesetsk launch site in northwestern Russia, and its test warhead landed on target about 3,400 miles away on the Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, a statement from the Russian Strategic Missile Forces said.

<MORE>

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18916415/

[HowHasItComeToThis]

8. GEORGE IS A MADMAN AND HIS NEOCONS ARE MONSTERS

THANKS

[C_U_L8R]

10. Not mad... but dumb

george and his neocon henchmen are strategic dumbfucks.
They've botched every initiative they've attempted (with the exception
of getting themselves elected). Worst president ever indeed.

[illinoisprogressive]

11. Bush has the whole world pissed at us and they are fed up

[L0oniX]

13. Bush is the terrorist with the WMD's

:nuke:

[ElboRuum]

14. You know, I miss the cold war.

Only the cold war could have allowed Rocky IV to get made.

I'm looking forward to Alien vs. Predator vs. Rocky vs. The Terminator vs. Rambo... on ice.

Should be damn special.

On a more serious note... is anyone else seriously just sick and fucking tired of this juvenile bullshit, or is it just me?

[ohio2007]

15. "Sting" on the Russians near the end of the Cold War

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g90uQ0_Xa84

Now making threats against western Europe and the ex Warsaw pact East bloc I'm guessing.
Putin is a boob

[BootinUp]

16. Trying to look at the bright side...

Russia will actually be a stabilizing force both against the US and within its sphere of influence like with Iran and other mideast countries if they proceed to act on this threat.

[cliss]

17. Guess who is caught in the middle?

= EUROPE.

This is going to put the squeeze on them, big time. On the one hand, the Europeans have an obligation and are in fact Serfs** to the U.S. They are weak (because of their fragmented nature) and have typically gone along with U.S. initiatives. Notice? They've been fairly quiet these past few years, even with

Iraq.....
Afghanistan.....
horrible incident with Italy & Calipari....
and now, Iran.
They have been good serfs**, because they have too much to lose to make waves. Look at Angela Merkel, for Christ sake.

But things just got a little tougher. Because now they are between a Rock (Russia) and a hard spot (U.S.). On the one hand, Russia represents a big threat to Europe because they are much closer to the "Bear" than the U.S.
I'm anticipating they will try to placate both sides, "sit" on the fence if they possibly can.

**And don't pounce on me for that statement; I'm a European myself. (from Sweden). I know these countries only too well.

[ohio2007]

18. Putins comments are not aimed at the EU...

..there is a scheduled meeting in Kennibunkport(sp)soon. Putins words will be discussed at that time. That is what he brings to the table...and maybe of course, a shoe to pound on that table for effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g90uQ0_Xa84

simply put
GWB is no JFK but the world has changed the two empires beyond the point of returning to those Cold War days.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

21. A symbolic statement

Even though the US and USSR/Russian de-targeted their missles in the 90's as tensions cooled, how long do you think it would really take to set them back up again? Merely the push of a button to get it to load the targeting pacakge software.

The de-targeting was symbolic as is this statement. That being said, this is a huge amount of sabre-rattling that we have not seen since the end of the Cold War and even since before Bush I's term.

[ohio2007]

22. From a man who wants to remain Russia's top dog.

I can't recall when the Russian elections are, but I sense a trade off or barter is what he plans.
Something like, if I am not re elected, the accountability of Russian nukes leaves with me.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

23. Russian's are feeling their oats b/c of an influx of oil money.

They have always been a nationalistic culture and hated being considered 2nd tier when the USSR fell. This is a way to regain some sort of prominence. I don't think what GWB is or has done has provoked them, I think it has just served to offer them a measure of legitimacy in the world view.

[frankieT]

25. I agree except for the "provoked" part

Despite USSR collapse, Russia remains the main geo-strategic enemy of the US. Bush administration made many aggressive moves to gain a decisive geo-strategic advantage in the current "balanced" situation. Leaving treaties, new weapons, new nuclear doctrine, attempts to weaponize the space, anti-missile system are all different means to reach the dream of some Pentagon strategists and neo-cons : nuclear primacy. I understand easily why russian strategists feel seriously threatened.

[Pavulon]

24. Like the simpsons episode

where the "Russian" signs in roll back to "USSR".

The Russians were invited to join the MD system. They did not. They have enough arsenal, including SLBM, to overwhelm it.

He will find himself full of polonium if he screws up the massive wealth being generated by russian oil and gas.

Not going to happen.

[Psephos]

26. Putin deserves just as much excoriation as Bush n/t

[CHIMO]

27. An Article in The Moscow Times

Putin Warns of Missiles Pointed at EU
By Nikolaus von Twickel
Staff Writer

Ratcheting up the rhetoric just days before U.S. talks, President Vladimir Putin warned that the military would aim its missiles at targets in Europe once again if the United States builds a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe.

Putin also cautioned that the U.S. plans raised the risk of a nuclear conflict.

The president's comments, made to European media ahead of this week's G8 summit in Germany, came after senior U.S. diplomats indicated that U.S. President George W. Bush would take Putin to task at the summit over what they called serious setbacks to democracy and media freedoms in Russia.

Kremlin officials suggested that Putin would defend Russia's record to Bush. Lawmakers downplayed the war of words. But with Putin's latest remarks on the missile defense shield, it appeared that he going on the offensive ahead of his meeting with Bush at the three-day summit, which starts Wednesday.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2007/06/04/001.html

Hard to know what the objectives are?

Doesn't seem like China is considered friendly to Russian concerns.

So Russia is trying to draw a line on another front.

Just imagine the Russian missile system going back to cold war days. How can it be controlled. It becomes a nightmare. Old equipment and poor control leads one to think of...

The Cuban Missile Crisis without the commander that didn't pull the trigger!

Mutual self-destruction by accident. Or perhaps we are all lemmings.

[SoCalDem]

28. So that's his plan for getting into Nato & the EU?

He's sounding more like Bushie all the time:eyes:

[David__77]

29. There was peace in Europe for decades under the "cold war."

There was collective security. I certainly don't see that as a major security threat.

[Eugene]

30. BBC: Nato condemns Putin missile vow

Source: BBC News

Last Updated: Monday, 4 June 2007, 15:10 GMT 16:10 UK

Nato condemns Putin missile vow

Russia's threat to aim weapons at Europe if the US sets
up a missile defence shield there was "unhelpful and
unwelcome", Nato has said.

The US says it wants missile defence in eastern Europe
to counter threats from states like Iran and North Korea.

On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Iran
was not a threat to the US, hinting that Russia was
the target.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will have
"frank" talks with Mr Putin this week about the threat.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6719507.stm