ИСТИНА

This paper concentrates at several points, connected with Russian attitude towards nuclear weapons, nuclear arms control, non-proliferation, and general security problems. During a multiyear period of the “nuclear age” the main partner of Russia (USSR) was the United States. In this connection practically all Soviet “beginnings” in security sphere were (and still are) connected with corresponding US policy. If to be more correct – with Russian interpretation of this policy. Sometimes these interpretations were more close to real US intentions, sometimes – not. In this connection one can offer many examples. Thus, US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty in 2002, according to many interpretations was the US idea to achieve military superiority over Russia. Terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 is treated as an “excuse” for such a withdrawal and not – as the reaction on the terror attack against this country. “Military superiority” topic has been very popular in the USSR and now – in Russia among journalists and propagandists, which influence general public and, probably, decision-makers. So, to some extent, security policy of Russia and the persons responsible for formulating it are still under a “cold war pressure” and remain very suspicious about real intensions of any US military program. It is not an easy task to overcome such “alarming” feelings among Russian political elite. In particular, right now it is not the best time to expect quick decision of the problem. This could be solved, to my view, only on the way of more close security and political cooperation between Russia and the US.