Russia ready to respond to U.S. missile shield in Europe – Putin

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia has every possibility to provide proper response to the projected deployment of a U.S. missile shield in Europe, though Moscow would like to see the U.S. plans revised, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, June 14, RIA Novosti said.

“We should look forward and give response [to these plans] in a timely manner,” Putin told servicemen at a Russian air base.

“Of course, our partners should better not do this [implement their missile shield plans] as this move would drive our response,” he added.

The president stressed that regardless of the rhetoric western politicians use to describe the shield deployment plans, “this remains part of the arms race.”

“We have every possibility to provide a proper response,” he said.

In this context, Putin stressed the importance of timely implementation of state defense orders. “We must implement state defense orders strictly on time, with the necessary quality and at reasonable prices. If we do it, there will be no particular threat to us.”