...

Is Russian prestige of nuclear power under threat? - Trend News commentator

Politics Materials 26 May 2009 15:22 (UTC +04:00)

Trend European Desk commentator Elmira Tariverdiyeva

"Restart" of the relations between the United States and Russia involves not only announcing friendly action, but their immediate implementation. The first step could be a conclusion after the START-1 treaty on nuclear weapons among nations. In accordance with the START-2, the United States and Russia will have to reduce the number of nuclear warheads to 1,000 units. However, there are nuances that create a conflict between nations. The situation with regard to the SOA is complicated because of the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT), which states that Russia and the United States would reduce their arsenals, 1,700-2,200 operationally deployed warheads (warheads in active alert) by the end of 2012. Unlike the SOA, SORT does not offer a clear definition of the mechanism of verification and monitoring in the field of disarmament and the location of the contingency reserve. Under the treaty, the sides should not count nuclear warheads merged with fuel. This distinction is important, and when Moscow would try to sign a new contract similar to the START-1, Washington prefers to contract, more similar to the SORT. Moreover, whatever the START-2 is formed, this does not cancel the previous U.S. administration's dream to host the third position area in Europe, the objective of which is obvious to the world community as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinizhat declares on its achievements in the field of nuclear technology. On the one hand, Moscow does not really worry about the U.S. missile defense system in Europe, even Russian and European military experts in one voice say that missile defense is technically located in Europe, and does not pose a threat to Russia, but is rather a preventive nature against Iranian threats.

However, the Russian leadership's position and its intransigence with regard to U.S. missile defense is surprising. And if you consider the prospect, it is clear that Washington's long-term plans based on the homogenization of Russia as a nuclear power. First steps in this direction have been taken back to the collapse of the Soviet Union, when almost all of the most powerful nuclear missile Satan or SS-18 were destroyed under the control of the Americans. Satan missiles were a major headache of the U.S. military. These unique missiles pierce and destroy any missile defense, clearing the path for 1,200 missiles of Strategic missile forces. The total strike, if it is measured by Russian arms of Topol-M, at least 60,000 pieces. However, all launchers mines for Satan were eliminated after signing the first treaty.

This was the first and the most attack on Moscow's prestige as a nuclear power. Washington's willingness is to place 10 missile interceptors in Poland - only the beginning of a larger project, which aims to reverse the value of Russian nuclear capability. No one will prevent the United States in the future, pass the financial crisis, to consolidate and increase disproportionately a missile defense system in Poland, And then Washington will deprive Moscow of one of the main arguments and trumps during political debates - nuclear capability.

A powerful missile defense system will provide guaranteed protection in Europe and the United States from Russian Topol. This is the scenario of events, and the Kremlin is concerned about the signing of START-2, which will take into account all the wishes of both sides, probably will not take place shortly.

Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at: [email protected]

Latest

Latest