Russia says that new US Defense Bill is aimed at undermining nuclear parity with Russia
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the new US defense bill clearly shows that Washington plans to undermine the nuclear parity with Russia.
This was stated by the Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, as reported by Russia’s TASS news agency.
“A big portion of the bill is dedicated to the subject of the Anti Missile Defense. While before, the main goal of the American anti missile system was the defense against 'restricted strikes' on the US, now it [anti missile shield] has to ensure 'a reliable multi-layered defense against missile attacks'," she stated.
“The stories about the nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea and the necessity to deploy anti-missile systems, which we have been fed to for so long, can be thrown away now. It has been made clear that Washington’s plans are much wider and are aimed at undermining the parity with Russia with the purpose of gaining advantage in this area,” Zacharova stated.
She also noted that she considers the fact that the new defense bill allows the supply of portable air-defense systems (MANPADs) to the opposition in Syria, to be an unfriendly step.
The US President , Barak Obama, signed the new defense bill on December 23. The new bill also ensures an increased support for Ukraine which is 350 million USD higher than the previous Bill.