Moscow: A new arms race will erupt if Russia can't agree with the West about a joint European missile defence programme, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned on Tuesdayin his annual address.
A Nato summit this month proposed an alliance missile-shield plan and invited Russia to participate. Questions remain about possible joint command of such a system.
"In the next 10 years, the following alternatives await us — either we reach agreement on missile defence and create a full joint cooperation mechanism, or, if we don't go into a constructive agreement, a new phase of the arms race will begin. And we will have to make a decision on deploying new means of attack," Medvedev told both houses of parliament.
Rogue nations
Medvedev has already endorsed the NATO proposal. Experts from both sides are meeting before the end of the year to consider linking NATO's and Russia's separate systems to provide a shield against incoming missiles from rogue nations, and deliver a report to defence ministers in July.
Much of Medvedev's 75-minute address focused on social and economic matters, with only comparatively brief and broad comments on political reforms and fighting corruption.
He exhorted lawmakers to make improving the lives of children Russia's top task and proposed giving free land to families with three or more children. The focus on encouraging larger families reflected serious concern over the demographic plunge that hit post-Soviet Russia.
Because of high mortality rates and a declining birth rate, Russia's population shrank some 7 million people from its 1991 high. However, the country reported a small population increase last year, to 141.8 million.
"The 26 million children and adolescents living in our country should fully develop, grow up healthy and happy and become proper citizens — this is task No. 1 for all of us," Medvedev told legislators in the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Medvedev proposed a variety of measures to improve children's lives. He also suggested that families who give birth to a third child get a supplement of 3,000 rubles (Dh350) a month.
