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Russia in defence warning to US Russia in defence warning to US
(20 minutes later)
Russia may stop implementing a key defence treaty because of concerns over US plans for a missile shield in Europe, President Vladimir Putin said.Russia may stop implementing a key defence treaty because of concerns over US plans for a missile shield in Europe, President Vladimir Putin said.
Mr Putin made the threat during his annual address to parliament - which he said would be his last as president.Mr Putin made the threat during his annual address to parliament - which he said would be his last as president.
He also hit out at an influx of foreign money which he said was being used to meddle in Russia's internal affairs.He also hit out at an influx of foreign money which he said was being used to meddle in Russia's internal affairs.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice dismissed Russian concerns over the missile shield as "ludicrous".US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice dismissed Russian concerns over the missile shield as "ludicrous".
But BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Mr Putin's speech marks a significant upping of diplomatic stakes.But BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Mr Putin's speech marks a significant upping of diplomatic stakes.
The Russian president accused Nato countries of failing to respect the 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE), which limits military deployments across the continent.The Russian president accused Nato countries of failing to respect the 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE), which limits military deployments across the continent.
Our partners... are using the present situation to boost the presence of military bases and systems close to our borders Vladimir Putin Cold War echoes in missile debate Our partners... are using the present situation to boost the presence of military bases and systems close to our borders Vladimir Putin href="/1/hi/world/europe/6595233.stm">Excerpts: Putin's address class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6583587.stm">Cold War echoes in missile debate
The Russian moratorium would continue "until all countries of the world have ratified and started to strictly implement it", he said. The treaty was adapted in 1999 after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, but Nato states have not yet ratified the new version, linking it to the withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia and Moldova.
If there was no progress at upcoming talks between Nato and Russia on the US missile defence plan, Russia would "look at the possibility of ceasing our commitments under the CFE treaty", he said. Mr Putin accused Nato states of exploiting the situation to increase their military presence near Russia.
He said that the Russian moratorium would continue "until all countries of the world have ratified and started to strictly implement it".
If there was no progress at upcoming talks between Nato and Russia, Russia would "look at the possibility of ceasing our commitments under the CFE treaty", he said.
The US wants to station 10 interceptor missiles in Poland, with radar operations in the Czech Republic - which Russia strongly opposes.The US wants to station 10 interceptor missiles in Poland, with radar operations in the Czech Republic - which Russia strongly opposes.
"The Russians have thousands of warheads. The idea that you can somehow stop the Russian strategic nuclear deterrent with a few interceptors just doesn't make sense," said the US secretary of state in Oslo, ahead of a Nato-Russia meeting."The Russians have thousands of warheads. The idea that you can somehow stop the Russian strategic nuclear deterrent with a few interceptors just doesn't make sense," said the US secretary of state in Oslo, ahead of a Nato-Russia meeting.
'Meddlers''Meddlers'
Mr Putin also hit out at those who he said were using democracy as a pretext to interfere in politics.Mr Putin also hit out at those who he said were using democracy as a pretext to interfere in politics.
"There is a growing influx of foreign cash used to directly meddle in our domestic affairs," Mr Putin said."There is a growing influx of foreign cash used to directly meddle in our domestic affairs," Mr Putin said.
"Not everyone likes the stable, gradual rise of our country," he said. "There are some who are using the democratic ideology to interfere in our internal affairs.""Not everyone likes the stable, gradual rise of our country," he said. "There are some who are using the democratic ideology to interfere in our internal affairs."
He did not specify those responsible, but in the past Russian authorities have accused the West of funding groups that oppose the government.He did not specify those responsible, but in the past Russian authorities have accused the West of funding groups that oppose the government.
He also called for a moment of silence to commemorate former President Boris Yeltsin, who he said had laid the foundations for a changed Russia. He called for a library to be established in Mr Yeltsin's name.He also called for a moment of silence to commemorate former President Boris Yeltsin, who he said had laid the foundations for a changed Russia. He called for a library to be established in Mr Yeltsin's name.
Other highlights included:Other highlights included:
    • praise for Russia's economy, which he said was now one of the 10th largest in the world
    • praise for Russia's economy, which he said was now one of the 10th largest in the world
    • a funding boost for state housing, using some of the proceeds from the auction of bankrupt oil giant Yukos
    • a funding boost for state housing, using some of the proceeds from the auction of bankrupt oil giant Yukos
      • Mr Putin's speech was delayed by a day because of Mr Yeltsin's state funeral.Mr Putin's speech was delayed by a day because of Mr Yeltsin's state funeral.
      He reiterated his pledge to step down in March 2008, after serving two terms as president.He reiterated his pledge to step down in March 2008, after serving two terms as president.