Economics
Putin Says Russia to Target U.S. If Missiles Put in Europe
- Kremlin leader blames U.S. for pulling out of Cold War treaty
- State-of-nation speech focuses on boosting living standards
This article is for subscribers only.
President Vladimir Putin signaled Russia will aim new weapons at the U.S. if it stations missiles in Europe after quitting a landmark Cold-War-era treaty, amid growing fears of a new arms race.
Still, the tone of Putin’s annual state-of-the-nation speech was less belligerent than a year ago, when he showed computer-graphics demonstrations of a series of new missiles and other high-tech weapons that appeared to target the U.S. With its only graphic displays focused on economics, this year’s address was devoted primarily to pledges to improve living standards and boost welfare benefits.