Russia

Medvedev says Russia will pursue rearmament

Article published on the 2009-03-17 Latest update 2009-03-17 14:21 TU

Dmitry Medvedev
(Photo: Reuters)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday said he will seek for large-scale rearmament from 2011 after he accused the Nato military alliance of planning to expand its physical presence near his country's borders.

"Attempts to expand the military infrastructure of Nato near the borders of our country are continuing," Medvedev said.

"The primary task is to increase the combat readiness of our
forces, first of all our strategic nuclear forces. They must be able
to fulfil all tasks necessary to ensure Russia's security."

Medvedev called for the renewal of Russia's nuclear weapons arsenal. The announcement came at a meeting with defence officials in Moscow.

Economic crisis could mean that Russia will be in no position to carry out Medvedev's project, says Marsha Lipman at the Carnegie Centre in Moscow, who adds that it comes in an atmosphere of  "cautious rapprochement between the US and Russia".

"I think we should wait and see what Russia will be like in 2011, what Russian revenues will be like," she told RFI. "The price of oil is a key factor for the Russian economy, so I think we should take it as a statement and not much more at this point."

The President also praised Russia's military efforts in Georgia's rebel region of South Ossetia last year but said the conflict revealed the military's shortcomings.

"Analysis of the military-political situation in the world shows that a serious conflict potential remains in some regions," Medvedev
said.