The Russian prime minister, on CNN, says the deal is in the U.S. interest. But if Congress fails to ratify the treaty, Moscow may build up its nuclear stockpile instead of reducing it.http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-russia-putin-20101202,0,4515216.story Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, his confident bluntness on full display, has declared Russia might build up its nuclear weapons instead of reducing them if the New START treaty arranged with the Obama administration is not ratified by Congress.
If the treaty is held up by U.S. legislators showing "a very dumb nature" then Russia will "have to react somehow," Putin said in an interview with CNN's Larry King scheduled for broadcast Wednesday.
Putin said the treaty, which calls for reducing the maximum nuclear warheads in each country from 2,200 to 1,550, is in the best interest of the United States.
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Several observers in Russia said Putin's comments, which came after Medvedev on Tuesday made similar statements about Russian defense during his annual address to parliament, were aimed at helping Obama win ratification for the treaty.