Russia worried by US, NATO arms build-up

Berlin, Feb 3: Russia is alarmed by the growing military advantage enjoyed by NATO and the United States in Europe, for which there appears no need, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was today quoted as saying.

Looking ahead to the annual Munich security conference next weekend, which Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend, Lavrov told weekly Der Spiegel Moscow was worried the balance of military power between West and East was becoming too one-sided.

''There are alarming developments. The balance of conventional weapons in East and West has shifted considerably,'' he said, noting most former members of the Soviet-aligned Warsaw Pact had joined NATO since the break-up of the Soviet Union.

''And ultimately the military presence of the United States in Europe is becoming a strategic factor,'' he added.

Lavrov reiterated Russian concerns about US plans to site a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic and noted there was little to separate this technology from systems that could be used for offensive purposes.

''This is creating a completely new situation,'' he said. ''We want to be told quite clearly why this is happening. We don't see any objective reason for this step.'' Asked how Moscow would respond if Washington failed to make concessions, Lavrov said Putin had made it clear Russia was not interested in beginning another arms race.

Lavrov criticised NATO for failing to ratify a treaty limiting conventional arms in Europe, and said some in the West were still caught up by the idea they had won the Cold War.

''This victor's mentality leads them to believe that they can now dictate the rules of the game to us,'' he said.

He also questioned Europe's efforts to secure the energy supply in former Soviet republics in the Caucasus and central Asia.

''We should play with all cards on the table here, and not resort to illegal methods,'' Lavrov said.

REUTERS