Russia says US missile defense a big barrier to nuclear cuts

   
A senior Russian official said on Wednesday that the U.S. deployment of anti-missile shields was a huge hurdle to any further cuts in the offensive nuclear arsenals of the former Cold War foes, because of concerns the interceptors could shoot down Russian missiles.                  

"How can we take the idea of strategic nuclear weapons reductions seriously when the United States is building up its ability to intercept these ... weapons?" Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters after U.S. President Barack Obama said he would seek to negotiate cuts with Russia.                            

Earlier, President Barack Obama said in a speech in Berlin that he wants to reduce deployed nuclear weapons by up to a third and revive negotiations with Russia to "move beyond Cold War nuclear postures".           

"After a comprehensive review I have determined that we can ensure the security of America and our allies, and maintain a strong and credible strategic deterrent, while reducing our deployed strategic nuclear weapons by up to one third," he said.               

"I intend to seek negotiated cuts with Russia to move beyond Cold War nuclear postures," Obama said, speaking in front of the Brandenburg Gate which once stood alongside the wall that divided communist East Berlin and the capitalist West.  


REUTERS