President Dmitry Medvedev today cautioned that Russia's ties with the West could slide back to Cold War era if the US went ahead with its missile shield in Europe, seen by Moscow as threat to its nuclear capability.Obama administration has refused to give legally binding guarantees to Moscow on not directing against the anti-missile shield against Russia."It is clear that the missile defence shield is directed at blocking the strategic capabilities of certain states."I understand that other states mentioned (Iran, North Korea) do not have (nuclear) potential compatible with Russia and are unlikely to achieve them in the coming years... So, it is directed against us," Medvedev said.Speaking at a packed news conference here attended by over 800 Russian and foreign journalists and carried live by main state TV channels and radio stations, the Russian leader cautioned: "This would be a very bad scenario, which would take us back to the Cold War era." He said in response to the US missile shield in Europe close to the Russian borders the Kremlin will boost its nuclear strike capabilities. Medvedev, who is in favour of a joint ABM system in Europe involving Russia as an equal partner, but so far NATO has refused to cooperate with Moscow."We will have to take retaliatory measures, which we do not want to have to do. This will mean forcing the development of our nuclear strike potential," he warned.The Russian leader also reminded that under the strategic arms reduction treaty (START) signed last year, Russia reserves the right to suspend the implementation or walk out of the cornerstone nuclear arms control pact and boost its nuclear arsenals.
