Says Russia did everything possible to talk U.S. out of leaving the ABM treaty. After the U.S. left, Russia continued to try to work with the U.S. to find a compromise. "All our suggestions were rejected," Putin says.
Now talking about what Russia "lost" with the collapse of the Soviet Union in terms of territory, population, economy, and military potential.
Says that the West must have concluded that Russia's military potential had been crippled and so there was no reason to take Russia's position into consideration on international issues.
Says U.S. efforts to build missile-defense systems have undermined the foundations of START treaty on nuclear weapons.
Says U.S. antimissile system is developing around the globe, particularly in Russia's immediate surroundings in Eastern Europe and Asia.