You're reading: Putin: U.S.-Russia joint missile defense is only way forward

LOS CABOS, Mexico - Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow's strong opposition to the U.S. missile defense system on June 19, saying that President Barack Obama's re-election would not end the dispute and insisting on joint development of the shield.

“I think that the missile defense issue will not be solved
regardless of whether Obama is elected or not,” he told
reporters at the end of Group of 20 summit in Mexico.

“I think that something can radically change only in the
case if the U.S. agrees with our proposal which says that
Russia, Europe and U.S. were equal participants of this
process,” said Putin.

Moscow says the interceptors that the United States and NATO
are deploying as part of the system will be able to destroy
Russian warheads in flight by about 2018, upsetting the
post-Cold War balance of power.

Washington maintains that the missile defense system – which
is to be deployed in four phases by about 2020 – is intended to
counter a potential threat from Iran and poses no risk to
Russia.