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Russia blames US in missile row Russia blames US in missile row
(30 minutes later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said a recent ballistic missile test was in answer to US plans to create a defence shield in Central Europe.Russian President Vladimir Putin has said a recent ballistic missile test was in answer to US plans to create a defence shield in Central Europe.
Mr Putin said it was a "response to maintain the strategic balance in the world", in what he called a "new round of the arms race".Mr Putin said it was a "response to maintain the strategic balance in the world", in what he called a "new round of the arms race".
He added that Russia would continue to improve its resources.He added that Russia would continue to improve its resources.
Russia tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile, which can be armed with up to 10 warheads, on Tuesday.Russia tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile, which can be armed with up to 10 warheads, on Tuesday.
These actions by Russia should not be feared, they are not aggressive President Vladimir Putin These actions by Russia should not be feared, they are not aggressive President Vladimir Putin class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6704669.stm">Europe diary: Missile defence
"Our American partners have left the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty," Mr Putin told a press conference."Our American partners have left the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty," Mr Putin told a press conference.
"We have warned them then that we will come out with a response to maintain the strategic balance in the world.""We have warned them then that we will come out with a response to maintain the strategic balance in the world."
'New weapons''New weapons'
Mr Putin defended Russia's actions, insisting they were not the "initiators of this new round of the arms race".Mr Putin defended Russia's actions, insisting they were not the "initiators of this new round of the arms race".
"(Our partners) are stuffing Eastern Europe with new weapons," he said."(Our partners) are stuffing Eastern Europe with new weapons," he said.
"A new base in Bulgaria, another in Romania, a site in Poland, radar in the Czech Republic. What are we supposed to do? We cannot just observe all this.""A new base in Bulgaria, another in Romania, a site in Poland, radar in the Czech Republic. What are we supposed to do? We cannot just observe all this."
He added: "These actions by Russia should not be feared, they are not aggressive, it's just an answer to rather tough and unjustified unilateral actions by partners."He added: "These actions by Russia should not be feared, they are not aggressive, it's just an answer to rather tough and unjustified unilateral actions by partners."
Washington wants to deploy interceptor rockets in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic to counter what it describes as a potential threat from "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea.Washington wants to deploy interceptor rockets in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic to counter what it describes as a potential threat from "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea.
The US maintains its system is not directed at the Russians, but Moscow says its security is being threatened.The US maintains its system is not directed at the Russians, but Moscow says its security is being threatened.
Russia's test launch took place at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia on 29 May.Russia's test launch took place at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia on 29 May.
The missile, called RS-24, was designed to evade missile defence systems, the Russian defence ministry says.The missile, called RS-24, was designed to evade missile defence systems, the Russian defence ministry says.
The test missile successfully struck its target 5,500km (3,400 miles) away on the far eastern Kamchatka peninsula, the Russian Strategic Missile Forces said.The test missile successfully struck its target 5,500km (3,400 miles) away on the far eastern Kamchatka peninsula, the Russian Strategic Missile Forces said.