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Putin attacks 'very dangerous' US | Putin attacks 'very dangerous' US |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticised the United States for what he said was its "almost uncontained" use of force around the world. | |
Washington's "very dangerous" approach to global relations was fuelling a nuclear arms race, he told a security summit in Munich. | |
Correspondents say the strident speech may signal a more assertive Russia. | Correspondents say the strident speech may signal a more assertive Russia. |
The White House said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the Russian president's comments. | |
"We expect to continue co-operation with Russia in areas important to the international community such as counter-terrorism and reducing the spread and threat of weapons of mass destruction," said Gordon Johndroe, press secretary for the White House National Security Council. | |
Mr Putin told senior security officials from around the world that nations were "witnessing an almost uncontained hyper use of force in international relations". | Mr Putin told senior security officials from around the world that nations were "witnessing an almost uncontained hyper use of force in international relations". |
What we are talking about here is a very, very sensitive technology, and for that reason we need a high degree of transparency... Angela Merkel Q&A: Sanctions on Iran "One state, the United States, has overstepped its national borders in every way," he said, speaking through a translator. | What we are talking about here is a very, very sensitive technology, and for that reason we need a high degree of transparency... Angela Merkel Q&A: Sanctions on Iran "One state, the United States, has overstepped its national borders in every way," he said, speaking through a translator. |
"This is very dangerous. Nobody feels secure anymore because nobody can hide behind international law. | "This is very dangerous. Nobody feels secure anymore because nobody can hide behind international law. |
"This is nourishing an arms race with the desire of countries to get nuclear weapons." | "This is nourishing an arms race with the desire of countries to get nuclear weapons." |
BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson, in Munich, said Mr Putin's speech was a strident performance which may well be remembered as a turning point in international relations. | BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson, in Munich, said Mr Putin's speech was a strident performance which may well be remembered as a turning point in international relations. |
Iran says it wants nuclear power, not nuclear weaponsUS defence secretary Robert Gates, also attending the summit in Munich, said only that the Russian leader had been "very candid". | |
Democratic Senator Joseph Lieberman said Mr Putin's speech was "provocative", adding that its rhetoric "sounded more like the Cold War". | |
And Republican Senator John McCain added: "Moscow must understand that it cannot enjoy a genuine partnership with the West so long as its actions at home and abroad conflict fundamentally with the core values of the Euro-Atlantic democracies. In today's multi-polar world there is no place for needless confrontation." | And Republican Senator John McCain added: "Moscow must understand that it cannot enjoy a genuine partnership with the West so long as its actions at home and abroad conflict fundamentally with the core values of the Euro-Atlantic democracies. In today's multi-polar world there is no place for needless confrontation." |
Mr Putin's spokesman Dimitry Peskov said the speech was "not about confrontation, it's an invitation to think". | Mr Putin's spokesman Dimitry Peskov said the speech was "not about confrontation, it's an invitation to think". |
"Until we get rid of unilateralism in international affairs, until we exclude the possibility of imposing one country's views on others, we will not have stability," he said. | "Until we get rid of unilateralism in international affairs, until we exclude the possibility of imposing one country's views on others, we will not have stability," he said. |
'Power not weapons' | 'Power not weapons' |
The conference, founded in 1962, has become an annual opportunity for world leaders to discuss the most pressing issues of the day. | The conference, founded in 1962, has become an annual opportunity for world leaders to discuss the most pressing issues of the day. |
Earlier, German chancellor Angela Merkel told delegates the international community was determined to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons. | Earlier, German chancellor Angela Merkel told delegates the international community was determined to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons. |
There was "no way around" the need for Tehran to accept demands from the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), she said. | There was "no way around" the need for Tehran to accept demands from the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), she said. |
"What we are talking about here is a very, very sensitive technology, and for that reason we need a high degree of transparency, which Iran has failed to provide, and if Iran does not do so then the alternative for Iran is to slip further into isolation," she said. | "What we are talking about here is a very, very sensitive technology, and for that reason we need a high degree of transparency, which Iran has failed to provide, and if Iran does not do so then the alternative for Iran is to slip further into isolation," she said. |
Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, also at the conference, has been repeating Iran's position that it wants nuclear power, not nuclear weapons. | Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, also at the conference, has been repeating Iran's position that it wants nuclear power, not nuclear weapons. |
"We believe the Iranian nuclear dossier is resolvable by negotiation," Mr Larijani was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying on the sidelines of the conference. | "We believe the Iranian nuclear dossier is resolvable by negotiation," Mr Larijani was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying on the sidelines of the conference. |
European diplomats are hoping to hold informal talks with Mr Larijani at the two-day summit. | European diplomats are hoping to hold informal talks with Mr Larijani at the two-day summit. |
It would be their first meeting since the collapse of talks last year and the imposition of limited UN sanctions on Tehran for its failure to stop the enrichment of uranium. | It would be their first meeting since the collapse of talks last year and the imposition of limited UN sanctions on Tehran for its failure to stop the enrichment of uranium. |