Russia will respond to U.S. attempts to encircle it: Putin

Vladimir Putin said Moscow would react to the Washington's attempts to encircle Russia with missile defense systems, Russian News Agency Tass reported Wednesday.

"The U.S. missile defense systems will be installed in Eastern Europe, Mediterranean and the northern seas. The systems have already been installed in Alaska, so practically the entire Russian territory will be surrounded by these systems," said Putin in an interview with American film director Oliver Stone.

Putin indicates that this is another major strategic mistake because Russia will respond adequately to all these actions. "It will mean nothing more than another round of arms race," he declared.

The Russian leader also noted that after the United States exited the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABMT) in 2002, Russia was forced to develop its missile strike capabilities in order to maintain the strategic balance of forces in the world.

Former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush had requested Moscow support the United States withdrawing from the ABMT, said Putin. He stressed that "there was no reason for these," although the American side interpreted as alleged threat from Iran.

The Russian president also said that Moscow was seeking to continue dialogue with Washington on issues related to maintaining nuclear balance and disarmament.

Putin said that a large-scale conflict between the United States and Russia with the use of nuclear weapons would be a defeat for both sides. "I think no one would be able to survive in such a conflict. The missile shield would not have protected the U.S. territory," said Putin, noting that it is important to prohibit unilateral actions.