His remark came after a new START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) came into effect between Russia and the United States.

On Feb. 5 the Russian foreign minister and the U.S. state secretary exchanged ratification instruments of the new START on the sidelines of the Munich International Conference, effectuating the treaty.

News analysts are of the view that the two countries are obliged to reduce about a third of their nuclear arms, but the reduction does not mean a decrease of their strategic nuclear forces. It is also their opinion that the bilateral confrontation would not be eased with contradictions still existing in the security issue.

The parliamentary ratification process revealed that a great divergence of opinion has existed between the two countries. Both parliaments attached supplementary articles to the treaty, quite different from each other, in the ratification process.

The United States has insisted on a missile defense (MD) system in Europe, alleging that it is nothing to do with strategic arms.

Meanwhile, Russia calls for setting up a regional MD system jointly with NATO, saying that it would be a sole way for solving contradictions over the MD system.

But the United States, in defiance of Russia's strong opposition, is persistently seeking MD system under the pretext of the treaty's no-binding preface.

Russia, to cope with the U.S. MD system, is directing much effort to manufacturing sophisticated missiles.