Cuban Missile Crisis 2.0: 'Russia's surrounded by NATO bases and US missile systems’

Dangerous provocations between Russia and the West - similar to that of the Cold War period - are now taking place on Russia's border, yet nobody seems to be concerned as what the implications could be, author Martin Summers told RT. 

Amid heightening tensions between Russia and the West, Vladimir Putin has again faced questions about hacking and influence over the upcoming election in Germany. It came as he met foreign journalists on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Speaking about US missile systems now stationed in Alaska and South Korea, the Russian leader said, “They have elements in their ABM system in Alaska and now in South Korea. Do we have to look at this helplessly and do the same in Eastern Europe? Of course not. We contemplate our response to this challenge.” 

Putin said Russia doesn’t put any faith in Western assurances that the ABM system is not directed against Russia and is working on ways to counter the threat to national security and global strategic balance.

RT spoke with author Martin Summers for his views on the unprecedented level of Russophobia that has led to this de facto arms race and what can be done to quell it.

Finish reading the article: https://www.rt.com/op-edge/390500-cuban-missile-crisis-russia-nato/

FILE PHOTO: USS MAHAN (DDG 72) during the Baltic Operations, Aug 26, 2011 © U.S. European Command