Putin threatens Romania and Poland over US-built missile defence system

(Vatican Radio) Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia's military will target Romania and Poland in response to a US-built missile defense system in the region. He made the comments during his two-day trip to Greece which ended Saturday with a visit to a Russian monastery. 

Listen to Stefan Bos' report:

Putin used his first visit to a European Union country this year to condemn western policies towards Moscow, describing a newly expanded American missile defense system as a threat to his country's security - and vowing to retaliate.

Standing next to Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras, the Russian leader said Moscow had in his words "no choice" but to target Romania because it
recently opened a missile defense base as part of the system, and Poland, which wants to do so within two years.

Putin warned especially citizens in Romania that they will face uncertain times because of the missile shield, which will be operated by the NATO military alliance. "Rockets within a 500 kilometer range have been positioned in Romania now. Rockets with a 1,000 kilometer range are on the way. But what's even worse, these rockets can easily be replaced at any moment with long range rockets that can travel 2,400 kilometers and no one will notice, even the Romanians," he said.

"This is a huge danger to us and we have will to react immediately. Those parts of Romania that didn't know what it is like to be in the
crosshairs, will have to face our countermeasures to ensure our safety."  

PURELY DEFENSIVE?

NATO claims the system is purely defensive and a response to a growing capability of ballistic missiles globally, including from countries such as
Iran and North Korea. But Moscow disagrees. 

President Putin also said that the United States unilaterally withdrew from a crucial missile defence treaty, and he accused Washington
of undermining the foundations of international security.

Amidst the tensions, Athens is keen to maintain its traditionally close ties with post-Soviet Russia, despite supporting EU sanctions against Moscow
over its role in the conflict in Ukraine. Greek Prime Minister Tsipras called "improving relations with Russia on multiple levels a strategic choice."

Yet, complicating that effort is Greece's participation in a natural gas pipeline project designed to limit Russia's regional energy dominance.

Putin made clear he regrets that Russia was forced to suspend its South Stream pipeline project which was to transport Russian natural gas through the Black Sea to Bulgaria and through Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia and further to Austria. 

PRESSURING BULGARIA

He suggested that the US and the EU's executive, the European Commission pressured countries such as Bulgaria to halt its work on the project, during the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War.

Putin traveled to Greece with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and top executives from state oil and natural gas companies. He wrapped up his trip on a more spiritual note. On Saturday the Russian leader visited the all-male monastic community of Mount Athos.

Accompanied by the head of Russia's Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, he joined celebrations for the 1,000th anniversary of the Russian presence at the ancient site.