Russia missile test heightens standoff with West

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http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iH3v9c5z4fYhZQXV10BpLMI1V48g

12 hours ago

MOSCOW (AFP) — Russia on Thursday tested an inter-continental missile, reports said, heightening tensions with the West as France warned the European Union could slap sanctions on Moscow over the Georgia conflict.

Russia also sought international support for its stance at a summit with China and Central Asian nations.

The missile test in northern Russia came barely a week after the United States completed an accord with Poland on basing an anti-missile shield in central Europe and as Russia accuses NATO of building up its navy vessels in the Black Sea.

A spokesman for Russia's strategic nuclear forces said the test was successful, Russian news agencies reported. The announcement came as Russia complained about the number of NATO ships in the Black Sea and said it was taking "measures of precaution".

[gordianot]

1. Will we never learn? n/t