Russia planning large rearmament

RUSSIAN President Dmitry Medvedev said yesterday Russia is planning “large scale rearming” and also is to boost its nuclear forces despite the raging economic crisis because US-led NATO is expanding toward its borders.

Moscow has sent conflicting signals to Washington since the election of Barack Obama as US president. The Kremlin says it wants to improve ties with the White House, but it has also taken steps to stem rising US clout in former Soviet states.

“Attempts to expand the military infrastructure of NATO near the borders of our country are continuing,” Medvedev told an annual meeting with Defence Ministry staff.