What is Russias logic in threatening Poland that they may be attacked if they allow missile intercepts there?

Question

It seems like a pretty outright stupid ploy to make that statement in light of everything going on.

Answer 1

yes there is because it makes it seem like america is testing them n looking to turn europe against russia

Answer 2

Poland changed their oppinion several times during few days, read history and you'll know to how to behave with polish

.....someone used the word "paranoid", well today it will fit more for US.

Lionheart, that name you have and being Putins personal accountant?...shame...

Answer 3

Russia as usual is letting their pride over power their  logic. If they continue this aggression they will be sanctioned and isolated by the world. With out imports the will not be able to survive let alone fight a war. I just fear that there are other parties involved  using Russia to create a u are ether with us or against us campaign. Which could create WWIII.  

Answer 4

Yeah, Russians are being unreasonably aggressive, while USA and NATO are just trying to make lemon meringue for everyone.

Answer 5

Russia is pissed off that with missile defense systems in Poland, Iranian or Russian nuclear missiles might not reach their targets and got shoot down. That's pretty much it. Why else you'd be pissed off on someone installing DEFENSE systems from the weapons you have btw.

For now Russia can't convince the rest of the world that their OFFENSIVE nuclear missiles are purely for decorative or defensive purposes.

Other than that Russia's current government still can't get away from USSR mentality and think that neighbor countries who are smaller than Russia must dance to Russian music or be incorporated back into "Great Russia".

To reassure bordering countries in their security and Russia's best intentions, Russia did promise them to aim its Nuclear missiles at Poland, Ukraine and others. Not today, few months ago.

Strangely enough now those countries are either in NATO already, installing ICBM defense systems, or seeking membership in NATO.

Sure as h**l, last weeks events in Georgia made everyone feel nice and cozy about Russia, especially those sharing a border with Russia.

To Botsakis G - I don't remember Cuban missile crisis, simply because I wasn't born yet.

However, I do know for sure from history that USSR smuggled ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads to US doorstep, in other words nuclear offensive weapons. If not USA satellite photos USSR would never admit that. Even when confronted with photos Russians tried to deny it.

US is installing in Poland non nuclear, defensive weapons designed to shoot down ICBMs. Those missiles can't strike anything inside Russia. Thus your analogy is false at best comparing those two weapon types.

Second, neither USA nor Poland have made a secret out of it or tried to deceive Russia, as Russia did back in Cuban crisis. On top of that Poland invited Russia to examine the installation to ensure that it's not designed against Russia.

I'm pretty sure Russians will examine it and still point missiles at Poland...

Answer 6

The Cuban Missile Crisis, remember?. The US was fuming mad to the fact that Castro agreed with the Russians to set up missile sites in Cuba, right at America's doorstep. That's exactly the case with Poland now.

History repeats itself.... and like a stage play, the setting and the actors involved may change with each show, but the roles and storylines remain the same.

Answer 7

To get the American influence out of the entire region.

That's Russian's POV.  They've stopped pretending that they want to be part of the democratic world.  They're being honest now.  Look out, world.

Answer 8

...d**n right!! and its cuz we're saddled in a QUAGMIRE aka Iraq!!  So far GWB has proven to be a paper tiger!  

They gave that US trained Lawyer the go-ahead to invade the mostly Ethnic-russian province thinking Putin would blinkj and Wjhoopsyyy he went in their kikcking azz and taking numbers much to "Russian Expert" condisleaza Rice's Surprise!!

Just ;like when Bush the Elder exhorted the Shiites to Rise up and overthrow Sadam after the 1st Gulf war, and whne they did he sat back and watched hundreds of thousands get butchered!!

Answer 9

Welcome to Cold War II, the sequel.

Russia apparently has made the bold assumption that the United States is presently benign because of Afghanistan and Iraq and won't be able to defend any of her allies - unfortunately, they may have a good point there.

Answer 10

People who are comparing this to the Cuban Missile Crisis are wrong. These are defensive missile interceptors, they cannot be used to attack Russia, they can only defend against nuclear missiles launched by hostile countries. Why should Russia be angry about that? Because it weakens their claim to MAD. If they can't accomplish that, their position is significantly weakened, that is why they are angry.

Poland is a member of NATO. This is quite a significant difference from Georgia who, while wanting membership, did not have it. Unlike with Georgia, members of NATO are OBLIGATED to go to war if another member is attacked. The US has shown that it honors its obligations to its allies, if not eagerly. If Poland is attacked, then it is the start of WW3, with Russia utterly outclassed conventionally from the outset.

Answer 11

They know that it is the U.S. alone that will stand against them.  NATO is too worried about loosing oil and natural gas from the Soviets.

Yes, Putin is still a KGB man.  The only difference between Putin and the former soviets is that there is lots more money flowing into his pocket.

Answer 12

Russia has always been a little (maybe more than a "little") paranoid about their neighbors.  They also seem to be trying to revive the Russian Empire (not the Soviet Union but Russian Empire).

Answer 13

The Russians are depending on the lesson they taught Georgia to frighten Poland to backing off and not letting the systems go in so this is actually the best time for them to do it.  The reason for the action against Georgia was a lesson in the force the Russians can use f they chose and how little the West would do to stop them.  Just being what they have always been-threaten and bully.