Russia says to halt weapons if U.S. drops shield

Russia says to halt weapons if U.S. drops shield

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updated 1 hour, 54 minutes ago

MOSCOW - Russia will stop developing some strategic weapons if the United States drops plans for a missile shield in Europe, Interfax news agency quoted the commander of Russia's strategic missile forces as saying Friday.

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So I guess that this proves that Russia is not up to snuff as of yet.

All of there posturing and live fire excersizes have amounted to trying to get the US to blink.

NOT!!!!!!

Russia has clearly shown that they have no answer for the purposed missile shield. It seems to be another case of hot air being blown out of Russia for the last few months.

It kinda reminds me of Khrushchev banging his shoe in the UN all of those years ago!! "Communism is they wave of the future" and "We will take America without a shot"!!

To quote the late, great Sam Kinison....Blow it out your dead Russian A##!

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reply to post by wolf241e


Of course they have a option, you take a sub up to the coast and then launch your nukes, or laden a commercial flight with nukes and blow them as required.

These of course are all slow methods, I'm sure russia have some remote nukes somewhere.

The USA is soooo superior!
Please check out my sigy...

Sooooo

Because Russia wants dialogue and a peaceful request, the Americans take this as 'OMGZ Russia are backing down, Russia are scared'...


Give me a break America...

Originally posted by mr-lizard
Sooooo

Because Russia wants dialogue and a peaceful request, the Americans take this as 'OMGZ Russia are backing down, Russia are scared'...


Give me a break America...

How did you equate all of America with what a few posters here have said? They don't speak for all of America...way to generalize 300 million people.The article said nothing of what America thinks about this statement from Russia.Care to change the wording of your last statement.

I think this message may be aimed at Obama and his new administration. Hopefully it opens up more opportunity for dialogue and cooperation between US and Russia.

The "some strategic weapons" Russia is alluding to here are the new ICBMs Russia has been testing recently (such as submarine-launched Bulava). Russia clearly indicated several years ago that these missiles would be developed as a response, should US go ahead with its ABM system plans for Eastern Europe. Now it is just letting US know that it is not too late to reverse the process, and restore status quo.

In my opinion the ABM system in Europe is an idiotic idea that highly destabilizing. US can focus its money and resources on more important things - such as fixing its economy. Russia is also reluctant to waste money on new ICBMs, but feels like it has no other choice given US' actions.

This has gone far enough already. The two sides tested each other for a bit, but no one needs a Cold War, except for maybe some american defense contractors. It is a stretch, but there may be slim hope in the new US Presidential administration.

All US needs to do is follow up Russia's proposal by saying that it is willing to make agreements that will satisfy all parties involved. And that will not be a sign a weakness - it will be a sign of common sense prevailing.

Originally posted by wolf241e
So I guess that this proves that Russia is not up to snuff as of yet.

You make it seem as if modern international politics are a boxing match, where any attempt to solve things other than with weapons is to be perceived as weakness. Well we are not in the 18th century anymore, nor are we in the Cold War era. If US or Americans want to pretend that they are in a boxing match - more power to you.

If US doesn't want dialogue, it should stop whinning every time Russia tests a new missile or sends its ships on global exercises.

Originally posted by wolf241e
All of there posturing and live fire excersizes have amounted to trying to get the US to blink.

International politics are a bit more complex than a simple staring contest.

Originally posted by wolf241e
Russia has clearly shown that they have no answer for the purposed missile shield.

No Russia has clearly shown that it does not wish to waste tons of money and resources on another senseless Cold War, but if US persists with its agressive foreign policy Russia is ready to stand ground.

Russia has an answer, it just doesn't want to have to rely on it. And when it does rely on it - and develop new ICBMs and reactivate its advanced MIRVs such as R-36 - US will start whinning that Russia is being aggressive.

So, pretty much anything Russia does is going to be perceived either as an act of weakness or an act of aggression by the US. There is no satisfying some people.

Originally posted by wolf241e
It kinda reminds me of Khrushchev banging his shoe in the UN all of those years ago!! "Communism is they wave of the future" and "We will take America without a shot"!!

Mind pointing out what Communism has to do with current events? Communism ended in Russia in 1991, and never came back. In fact you may notice that USSR no longer exists.

Originally posted by wolf241e
To quote the late, great Sam Kinison....Blow it out your dead Russian A##!

Nice. Anymore irrelevant quotes? But hey - if this makes you feel strong and mighty - more power to you. If you take pride in your country's aggressive and unyielding foreign policy - great for you. Don't mind the rest of the world that has moved on from this sort of behavior.

[edit on 19-12-2008 by maloy]

The US is being set up as the bad guy for a future conflict IMHO.

Seems pretty obvious to me... All this political positioning lately seems to point to that.

People with views like the OP are precisely the types of individuals the Russians are "counting on" to make an irrational response...

I'm sure in the future, when we're at war, the Russians will tell the international community that they made ever effort at a peaceful resolution... and make us into the bad guys... which may entirely be the case...

Its hard to claim superiority, when we've been caught with our pants down on torture...

The world will believe Russia in the long run... especially since the U.S. refuses to acknowledge the U.N.'s opinions most of the time.

You know, this whole thing with russia started becuase of our government.. why did they want to set up a missle defense ssytem in Europe? That itself, witha superpower right next door, should have immediatly been known, the superpower, russia, was going to react! This is something only an idiot would have done.. if that missle shield had never been in place, russia would have never negotiated with Venezuela.. Our government idd this unpurpose i think.. myabe to create a national security measure.. so the powers to be, can find a reason to defy posse comatatius..

reply to post by nj2day



There is a notion developing in Russia and some other countries, that the only way US can be reasoned with anymore is with military strength, threats, and sabre-rattling - and that it does not understand any other language. This sentiment only developed in the recent years, since Bush came to power, and it is very detrimental to productive foreign policy and cooperation. I feel that Obama might have difficulties now overcoming this sentiment, but it is still not too late.

You are right - US is digging itself into a mess with this unyielding strategy. Everyone the world over knows that US is by far the strongest global power, but even the strongest superpower must be willing to make compromises if it wants to gain goodwill. I think the problem of this bravado attitude rests in this we-are-the-sole-superpower mentality of the US.

Just once - US can show willingness to compromise. It will be a sign of strength rather than weakness. But some people would rather wage a war than see that happen.

[edit on 19-12-2008 by maloy]

Originally posted by ziggy1706
why did they want to set up a missle defense ssytem in Europe?

For containment of Russia, for spreading the US military power abroad, but most of all for money.

The ABM system is very expensive equipment, and it requires some of the highest R&D among all technology projects. Defense contractors stand to gain huge profits on supplying and developing these systems. It is very possible that the whole ABM affair was primarily engineered by a small but very powerful interest group in the US. This interest group seems to have permeated the Pentagon, Congress, and the White House.

The problem is - I agree that it is not in the best interests of the US as a nation, and not in the best interests of US foreign policy. The question is can US government place the interests of the country ahead of those of a small but rich interest group.

I don't understand why they're wasting money on an ABM shield on the other side of the world, instead of developing an air defense system similar to Russia's S-400 that can be based at home and protect from threats coming from anywhere.

I don't think a "peaceful resolution" was ever part of the plan. I think the people running this country wanted their Cold War defense spending back, and I don't think they are concerned with the possible deaths of billions.

It worked for them last time, when the sides were an even split between NATO and Russia, but there are more players in the game now and they have different rules and agendas. Mutual containment might not save our butts this time around.

At least the wicked will die rich.

I look at it this way, "of course Russia is going to ask us to do this."

We have been on a rampage for almost a decade now touting the whole "terrorists need to surrender or die" theme.

How long before we start asking other larger nations like Russia to dispose of any nuclear capabilities they may or may not have?

Right now everyone would say "never, we would never ask Russia to do that!"

Well it's not we doing the asking it will be the powers that be.

Like Iraq if they really wanted to they would just toss around propaganda only in this case chances are it would be true because Russia is no Iraq.

That being said chances are almost zilch to none of it happening, however in the Russian eye's they may see things quite different or be privy to information we are not.

At the same time it could just be Russia flexing it's muscle to show the US that there are other countries willing and capable to standing up to the US if they get out of hand.

While at the same time a sign to other countries that might not exactly be friends with the US by choice but out of need, in return getting those countries financial backing into Russia to increase their power status.

It would only make sense that Russia did/said this considering where they stand financially and as a world power contender right now.

Typical Russian mentality.

First they bluster and threaten.

Then they make stupid moves, nuking Iran, arming Lebanon with fighter (arming Hezbolla terrorists).

Then they trot out their hypersonic, altering path ICBM's that they have been working on since "BEFORE" the start of the missile shield project.

When the US/Bush/Obama did not blink once,"NOW" Russia wants to deal and compromise.

We can also take that Russia knows it's new uber ICBM's can be shot downa nd "NOW" they want to wheel and deal.

Originally posted by mrmonsoon
Typical Russian mentality.

First they bluster and threaten.

Then they make stupid moves, nuking Iran, arming Lebanon with fighter (arming Hezbolla terrorists).

Russia isn't threatening, they're clearly negotiating... it's more than I would bother trying with the American government.

And uh... nuking Iran?
I'm hoping you're talking about a hypothetical situation you've got in mind, because unless reality has eluded me for the past, well, forever, Russia hasn't nuked Iran. lol.

What is that about?

reply to post by johnsky


I think mrmonsoon got russia und usa mixed up!
Propaganda this day and age, you forget who is on which side. All TERRORists and COMMIES anyway and USA (with Gordon Brown's help of course) will SAVE THE WORLD! I actually thought West vs. Iran and Russia pro Iran.
Having said all that I hadn't realized anybody had actually nuked Iran yet. But I s'pose there's nobody left to tell the tale...

BB,
Samuel

p.s. just to clarify: most of this post is actually sarcastic!

For those member who confused or misunderstood...............

The reference to "nuking" Iran meant giving then Nuclear technology, building them a nuclear power plant, probably helping them with the refining process....

This will allow Iran to be building nuclear weapon's.

And please, everyone knows that is the "ONLY" reason they are so hot and heavy for nuclear tech.

With HUGEn reserves of oil/natural gas.......... they don't need nuclear power plants.

In fact, they could build several normal power plants which would create "MORE" electricty for the population-kinda kills the "excuse" the need more kilawatts of power.

In fact these normal power plants could be built far faster and for far less money.

[edit on 12/19/2008 by mrmonsoon]

reply to post by mrmonsoon

My problem with that argument is that Iran is a sovereign country and should be treated as such!
Iraq used to be one as well (before the USA put their puppet into place and took him back down when he didn't play ball). America has as much right to go into Iran as they had the right to invade Iraq or put a load of missiles in Russias backyard! (Just to clarify: they have NO RIGHT to do any of those things!)


BB,
Samuel

Before we jump to conclusions and assume who did what, does anyone know who started their program first. I for one think that there is way too many unknowns to be forming an opinion of weather or not the US is wrong for wanting to deploy a missle sheild. If Russia has no intent on launching ICBM's then what is the harm? I honestly feel like we should have shields setup everywhere even in every border state of the US. All of this posturing by Russia could be aggression started prior to the missle shield inception. But everyone is an expert on foreign intelligence here so fire away.

eh, I personally hope the new administration answers them with a good old fashion

"Bite me"