MOSCOW, Oct 17: President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Friday that Russia retains the right to deliver pre-emptive military strikes against its enemies since the policy was also practised by the United States.

Mr Putin told the Al Jazeera network in comments carried in Moscow by Interfax that he shared the views delivered earlier this month by Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov that prompted questions for clarification from Western capitals.

The Russian defence minister “really did speak about the option of preemptive strikes,” said Mr Putin.

“What he had in mind, and this is my view as well, is this: We are against such a policy, but if other nations continue to make a priority (of preventive strikes) in their foreign policy, than Russia reserves the right to act in the same way.”

Mr Ivanov was forced to soften his remarks in comments delivered in the United States earlier this month.

But Mr Putin stuck firmly to Russia’s new military position.

“Nations that threaten us must know that our response will be adequate,” the Russian leader was quoted as saying.

Mr Ivanov earlier this month assured NATO states in the United States that Moscow was not seeking to adopt a preemptive nuclear strategy.

“Russia still regards nuclear weapons as a means of political deterrence. We do not envisage a scenario or a situation where we would use such weapons first,” said Mr Ivanov on Oct 9.

He said earlier said that Russia would re-evaluate its nuclear stance should NATO remain a military alliance with an “offensive” doctrine.

And Mr Putin hinted broadly on Friday that Russia still planned to rely on its massive nuclear arsenal for decades to come despite signing a broad disarmament agreement with the United States last year.

He said Russia has a “significant amount” of SS-19 intercontinental ballistic missiles that had never previously deployed — and thus not part of disarmament negotiations — and which remain mothballed for emergency use.

“These are probably the most powerful rockets in the world,” said Mr Putin.

He said they would be the perfect weapon for breaking through a potential missile defence shield that has been heavily backed by US President George W. Bush.

“These rockets could easily break through any missile shield for decades to come,” Mr Putin warned.

He said the SS-19 could function for up to 25 more years and gradually replace decommissioned missiles.

“In the meantime, we will begin producing new strategic weapons that will guarantee are strategic nuclear missile deterrence system,” he said.—AFP