US anti-missile system in S. Korea 'threat' to Russia

By Hakan Ceyhan Aydogan

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AA) - Moscow considers the deployment of the anti-ballistic missile system by the U.S. in South Korea as a "threat", Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

"We think about how we will respond to the threats that the U.S. creates in the Korean Peninsula. We perceive this as a threat. We are thinking on how to neutralize these [U.S. threats]," Putin told foreign media on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Putin said the U.S. deployment of anti-ballistic missile system triggers new arms race.

He added building up Russian forces in southern Kuril islands was a response to its neighbors' actions.

Putin believed that the demilitarization of southern Kuril islands is "possible".

"But, the demilitarization of some islands is not enough. We need to think about reducing this tension in the whole region," he added.

- Rise of Russophobia in West

Putin said Russophobia in the West rose recently.

"This is due to the fact that a multi-polar world is being established, which the monopolists do not like," he added.

He said Russophobia that is manifested by some countries will not last forever.

Putin hoped the West will sooner or later realize that Russophobia is "counterproductive".