International

Russia will not just watch Patriot missiles deployed

29.01.2010 15:13

Russia's ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin, warned on Friday that his country will not passively watch the deployment of a U.S. Patriot missile battery in Poland.

The US will supply the Patriots and 100 troops in Poland this year, to be stationed not far from the Russian Kaliningrad border.

"Do they really think that we will calmly watch the location of a rocket system, at a distance of 60 km from Kaliningrad?", the Russian diplomat said Friday.

Rogozin refused to clarify what the response of the Russian side would be to the deployment. "It is a matter for the military," is all he would say.

According to the ambassador, the decision to deploy Patriots in Poland is "reckless".

Rogozin said that Moscow is consulting with Warsaw and Washington on the matter, using both diplomatic and military channels. "We hope that the decision will be reviewed," he stressed.

Last Friday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that he did not understand the plan to deploy Patriot missiles in Poland. “Why create the impression that Poland is strengthened [its defences] against Russia?"

Earlier, a Russian Navy spokesperson announced that Russia’s Baltic Fleet would be strengthened although this was not confirmed by the Kremlin. (pg)

Source: PAP

Comments: 81 Add new comment

Maciej Skiba

29/01/2010 15:46:17

Will Russia ever stop acting like a petulant child, these are defensive weapons that can't be used on an attack against Kaliningrad. The only thing it can do is to shoot down missiles that are shot from that region of Russia. Basically the message Russia is sending is, we are angry that Poland has the capability to shoot down our missile in case we ever choose to shoot them at Poland. Is that considered reasonable in anybody's mind?

Now for those that think this is some sort of provocation by Poland, you are beyond unreasonable. Why is Poland forced to leave itself defenseless and allow Russia veto power of what way Poland can protect itself military. If Russia next week comes out and has a problem that Poland has a military (are you all going to start blaming Poland for provoking Russia?) You are all total hypocrites, not once have I heard from any of you that are against the patriot missile battery that Russia should get rid of its nukes. Russia is allowed to have offensive weapons that can kill billions, and Poland is somehow not allowed defensive weapons that can't do nothing more than shoot down missiles?

Alex

29/01/2010 15:54:57

Maciej, Iran needs defensive weapons, too!

Maciej Skiba

29/01/2010 16:04:17

Alex, we already had this conversation, the situations are not the same because Iran is building nukes, Poland is not, Iran is an authoritarian regime, Poland is not, Iran supports terrorist movements, Poland does not, Iran has major human rights abuses, Poland does not, Iran threatened another country to wipe it off the map (kind of like Russia threatening to nuke Poland), Poland did not. Not the same thing is it?

With all that said and done, I already told you I personally don't have a problem with Iran developing defensive weapons, however for those that do, they are not being hypocrites seeing as the situations don't compare.

Maciej Skiba

29/01/2010 16:07:28

Now if Poland was building nukes and threatening to wipe Russia of the map or its allies, or supporting terrorist movements in Russia than maybe you would be on to something. But Poland isn't.

Plus not to mention the obvious I already said I don't have a problem with Iran building defensive weapons, so if you're trying to show I'm being hypocritical I'm not.

Alex

29/01/2010 16:41:54

The nukes thing is one of the US-Israeli allegations against Iran. We know the price of those... So I won't be surprised if Russian response will be Iran-related. Very likely it won't have anything to do with Poland.

I understand Gazprom is very happy with getting 70% of Polish natural gas market in a long-term contract.

Moscow views Poland as a little child that is prone to act recklessly. Due to its political immaturity Warsaw cannot be held responsible for its own actions. But the US should know better than giving matches to a rowdy kid.

Maciej Skiba

29/01/2010 17:00:52

If Iran was not pursuing nukes they would have taken the deal offered to them by the west. The deal acknowledged Iran's right to peaceful nuclear technology while at the same time ensuring that any nuclear material will not be used for military applications. Iran has completely disregarded international law that they agreed to abide by as a result the security council (which Russia is part of) passed several resolutions that Iran has decided to ignore. Clearly Russia sees something to these allegations also, or they would veto any resolution (its not like Russia is shy about using its veto).

As for Gazprom's long term contract, its a shame but I'm not to worried, Russia's regional power might increase temporarily but in the long term Russia is heading for catastrophe. Clearly the lessons of the cold war haven't taught the country anything.

Sure that's how Moscow views Poland, just goes to show you how ridiculous Moscow is. Russia thinks its reasonable to dictate what defensive weapons and what organizations sovereign country's on its periphery can either acquire or join. Maybe they didn't get the memo the Soviet Union is gone.

Zack

29/01/2010 17:13:32

I must say I partially agree with Alex on Iran. I'm an American Pole and I fully support Iran in building whatever it thinks is necessary to stop the Israelis from being overlords of the Middle East.

Every threat the Iranians are receiving now should tell them if they really weren't building nuclear weapons, they better start. Israel already has enough nukes to wipe out the whole Middle East. They know the one thing that will prevent them from dominating is a rival with the similar capability.

As far as the Patriot missile deployment, Russia is really overreacting. I think what they really fear is not the missile deployment, but the US troops deployed so closely to their border. They know that one US military base can turn into several more, very quickly (Unfortunately, this is one of the many issues draining the US economy).

Maciej Skiba

29/01/2010 18:11:27

Zack,

You have got to be kidding with me, that Iran better start developing nuclear weapons (a state known to support terrorist organizations) and you think its a good idea for them to have such destructive weapons? Iran is not exactly trusted and liked in the region (not just by Israel), I guess a weapons race in such a unstable region is a great idea to you? Also please tell me how Israel is acting like overlords in the middle east?

Alex

29/01/2010 18:23:25

Maciej, Pakistan has nuclear weapons. What's the big deal?
Iran is a responsible regional power and a democracy (by ME standards, that is). Iranian women have much more rights that women in any Arab country or Paki-Afghanistan. And there are _real_ elections in Iran. So don't believe some crazy propaganda about Iran so easily.

Roman

29/01/2010 18:34:39

Zack,
I'm surprised. As an American you of all people should be terrified of an Iran with nukes. Israel is not Iran's only enemy, nor is it necessarily its ultimate target.
Iran having nukes will only further destabilize an already dangerous situation. You don't have to like Israel or its policies...I know I certainly disagree with many of them, but I for one feel much safer in this world knowing that they have a nuclear deterrent and that Iran does not.

Your are of course right that Russia is overreacting to the planned missle deployment, however I doubt that this will lead to additioanl US bases on Polish soil anytime soon (although that might not be a bad thing). If anything, The US appears to bow down to Russian pressure far more often then they should.

Maciej,
I know I've said this before, but as usual your knowledge and logic are impeccable.

Alex,
I really don't know why you even bother getting up in the morning.

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