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On the need of further steps for creation of a joint Russian-European ABM system

Statement by Chairman of the Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO
September 21, 2009

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO considers that urgent conclusion of multi-lateral agreements on creation of an anti-ballistic missile defence (ABM) system for Europe jointly with the USA, NATO and the European Union is a challenging and strategically important task for Russia.

Implementation of this project is of global significance. At the expected rates of nuclear missile proliferation, the number of potential threats of missile attacks against Russia, the US, Europe and any country of the world will only broaden. A joint ABM system of the technologically developed states and Russia as a country with one of the largest nuclear missile potentials will become the most important element for protection of the planet from nuclear threats in the 21st century. For Europe creation of ballistic missile defence (BMD) jointly with Russia will represent the first large step towards creation of such a system and will be also important for raising the efficiency of nuclear non-proliferation policy.

For Russia a joint ABM system will bring not only security, but also new technologies, orders for the military-industrial complex and jobs. It is especially important that this will become a qualitatively new stage in the development of Russia’s armed forces marking their actual orientation on strategic cooperation with the developed European states and presenting an alternative to the neoimperialist projects and approaches the Russian top military officials and politicians have been so enthusiastic about.

Objective need and huge political, defence and humanitarian potential of a joint ABM system have been obvious for a long time already. That is why our party put forward an initiative of creation of a joint Russian-European BMD with participation of the US and NATO as early as in 1998, over ten years ago. Attention which the then leaders of Russia and the US showed to this initiative reflected their understanding of the importance of the issue. However, they finally lacked strategic vision of the perspective. Lack of political will together with inertia of mutual distrust, ambitions, reactionary nature and sluggishness of bureaucratic structures did not allow to progress in the implementation of this issue then.

Today reaching of an agreement on creation of a joint BMD for Europe is again turning into reality.

The fact that US President Barack Obama abolished unilateral plans of deployment of the elements of the ABM system in the Eastern Europe and statements made by US Secretary of Defence on cooperation with Russia offer new prospects.

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO calls the leaders of Russia, the USA, the European Union and all responsible politicians to use this chance and create an efficient joint Russian-European BMD.


Sergei Mitrokhin,
Chairman of the Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO

 

See also:

Russia's ABM Initiatives

Russia-US Relations

Russia-EU Relations

 

 


September 21, 2009