Missile Defence Could Start New Cold War: Medvedev

Russia, wary of NATO ambitions, might develop new nuclear weapons if the shield around Europe continues as planned.

American plans for a missile defence shield around Europe could lead to a new Cold War, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned today. Russia has long viewed the proposed shield as an affront to its sovereignty and a threat to its safety, and today Medvedev said his country might be forced to develop better nuclear weapons in response to it. The president threatened to pull out of the START nuclear disarmament treaty, signed with the U.S. in 2009, if the plan goes ahead. NATO has maintained that the shield is meant to protect Europe from potential nuclear attacks launched by countries such as Iran, but has never asked Russia to join in its deployment.