Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

US missile shield delays nuclear reduction - Putin

Updated at 10:16 am on 30 December 2009

Russian Prime Minister Vladmir Putin says American plans for a missile defence system are holding up completion of a new nuclear arms reduction treaty.

Mr Putin says a US missile shield could force Russia to develop new offensive weapons systems.

The US State Department says the planned missile defence system and the completion of a new nuclear arms treaty are completely separate issues.

In a statement, the department says the US will continue to discuss the topic of missile defence with Russia.

The United States has scrapped plans for a land based missile shield in Europe and but intends to use a sea-based system.

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