Russia: More Missiles, Please
Even before President Barack Obama announced that the U.S. would not be stationing its ballistic missile defenses in Europe, than the Russians announced that they will be developing the newest version of its famed S-300 anti-aircraft system. This time, the S-500 would serve as a true "ballistic missile defense system," according to Russian experts. According to Alexander Zelin, Russian Air Force Chief of Staff, "the work is ongoing, specialists and the scientific community are been utilized, so I think this system could see the light of day in the near future."
According to the daily paper "Vzglyad," it is probable that what Zelin was referring to as the S-500 complex is actually a well-known system under the provisional name "Monarch," which will be able to intercept ballistic missiles of intermediate range of up to 3,500 km (2,170 miles). Its interceptor missile will have a range of 370-400 km (some publications referred to an interceptor range of 1,300 km). An important feature of the complex is that it initially will be adapted to engage objects in the near-space. This will allow it to target not just ballistic missiles, but other objects of choice - such as satellites.
What does the Russian political establishment think of the upcoming G20 meeting between presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Obama? Eugenya Voiko, an expert on foreign policy at the Center of Political Expediency of Russia, thinks defense will be a central theme in the upcoming talks. "I think we need to build on the latest developments with ballistic missile defense in Europe. Russia's leaders will keep this factor in mind. Naturally, for Barack Obama, it is important to maintain a partnership in Eastern Europe, especially with Poland and the Czech Republic, as they are U.S. satellites in the EU. Therefore it is important for Russia to see how United States really intends to revise its missile defense program and what it means in relation to Iran." When it comes to Afghanistan, which Voiko thinks will be discussed, it is important for the two countries to maintain the partnership and work together. Another topic of discussion should be the global financial crisis. At a recent international conference in the Russian city of Yaroslavl, President Medvedev reiterated that the origin of this crisis was the United States. Voiko drew attention to the fact that "it's not that Russia's opinion isn't considered during the ongiong financial crisis - it's just that the opinion of China is considered much more."
For his part, Medvedev stated prior to his visit to the U.S. that while he considers American steps in removing missile defense system from Europe a "positive development, there will be no quid pro quos or compromises from the Russian side."
