Vladimir Putin has used one of the last major speeches of his presidency to
deliver a defiant message to the West, accusing it of unleashing a new arms race
that left Moscow no choice but to retaliate in kind. Less than a month before
presidential elections that his hand-picked successor is almost certain to win,
the speech removed any lingering doubts that Russian foreign policy might become
less aggressive after Mr Putin steps down.
"It's clear that a new arms race is unfolding in the world," said Mr Putin,
one that Russia did not start. And he vowed that Russia would respond to the
threats by developing newer and more modern weapons that were as good as if not
better than those possessed by Western countries.
