Russia: Changing attitudes toward proliferation of missiles and weapons of mass destruction

Abstract

Russian thinking on ballistic and cruise missile proliferation has been shaped by conceptual approaches dating to the Soviet period. At present, a multipolarity of interests and opinions is competing to set government policy. Russia must recognize the extent of the threats posed to it by proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missile delivery systems. The Russian position on U.S. counterproliferation policies is still fairly reactive in nature, especially with respect to revision of the Anti‐Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. The 1995–96 elections may introduce considerable changes in Russian politics and policies relating to proliferation.