The Associated Press reports Vladimir Putin: Mitt Romney helped Russia by calling it top foe. In yet another example of Mitt Romney's foreign policy incompetence, he has undermined the US position in negotiations over a proposed U.S.-led NATO European missile shield. Calling Russia our "number 1 geopolitical foe" Romney confirms Russian suspicions and fears that the cold war is not over, and that if Romney, or someone like him later, should be elected president, the shield we now claim is only for defensive purposes against Iran, or terrorism, may be used against them.
MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin says a comment made by U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney has made Russia feel justified in opposing America's missile defense plans in Europe.
The Republican challenger to President Barack Obama has branded Russia the "No. 1 geopolitical foe" of the United States.
Putin said Tuesday that statement shows Russia is right to criticize the U.S.-led NATO plan to place land- and sea-based radars and interceptors in several European locations. Washington says the shield is intended against a possible missile attack from Iran, but Moscow sees it as a threat to its security.
As reported below, Russia sees the NATO missal shield as a threat to its security, because it may eventually be expanded sufficiently, to render Russia's nuclear deterrent ineffective, unraveling the Mutual Assured Destruction strategy that provides the foundation for the last half century of nuclear "stability."
The Australian provides more details on why "Mitt Romney has made Russia feel justified in opposing America's missile defense plans in Europe."
Mr Putin said in remarks carried by Russian news wires that Mr Romney's statement has "strengthened Russia's positions in talks on this important and sensitive subject", but added that he would work with Mr Romney if he's elected.
"I'm grateful to him for formulating his stance so clearly, because he has once again proven the correctness of our approach to missile defence problems," Mr Putin said of Mr Romney.
"The most important thing for us is that even if he doesn't win now, he or a person with similar views may come to power in four years. We must take that into consideration while dealing with security issues for a long perspective."
This is one more example we can use to emphasize Mitt Romney's and Paul Ryan's lack of international knowledge, and foreign policy experience, and point out the many specific ways in which such incompetence can harm U.S. national security, and global stability.