Putin attacks US, announces development of new nuclear weapon

In a nationally broadcast link-up with ordinary Russians, Putin called the US intervention in Iraq a “dead end” and called on Washington to set a deadline for troop withdrawal. Putin suggested, Iraq had been invaded because of its oil wealth and assured that energy-rich Russia could not suffer the same fate. To think so, he said, was “political erotica.”

The White House quickly rebuffed Putin’s comments, insisting there was a “good trend” in Iraq.

The hawkish Russian leader also swiped at Washington’s tough stand on Iran’s nuclear power programme, saying Moscow’s insistence on negotiations was better than “threats, sanctions or even force.”

In a video link-up with servicemen at the Plesetsk nuclear missile base, Putin said that Russia would build another nuclear submarine next year and was also planning a “completely new” atomic weapon.

“We have grandiose plans and they are absolutely realistic,” Putin said, speaking hours after the military announced the successful test firing of a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile.