New START Ratification Won't Stop Russian Missile Defenses

The upper house of the Russian Parliament has ratified the new arms reduction pact with the United States, replacing START I, which expired in December 2009.

The Russian government said the ratification of New START on Wednesday will not affect its plans to develop a missile defense system, RIA Novosti reports.

Moscow and NATO have been negotiating the construction of a joint missile defense shield in Europe. Nevertheless, the development of a domestic missile shield will...