On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that elements of a US anti-missile system in Alaska and South Korea were a challenge to Russia and that Moscow had no choice but to build up its own forces in response. While speaking at an economic forum in St Petersburg, Putin said that Russia could not stand idly by and watch while the other countries increased their military capabilities along its borders the same way as he claims has been done in Europe. Putin emphasized the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea and plans to bolster Fort Greely in Alaska, a launch site for anti-ballistic missiles, as particularly alarming. Putin stated, "This destroys the strategic balance in the world. We are thinking about how to respond to these challenges. This is a challenge for us."
Putin claims US anti-missile systems challenge Russia
