Russia hints at ABM treaty changes

Putin: Nuclear build-up warning

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russia may consider changes to the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty, one of the country's top generals is reported to have said.

Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov, who is in charge of international co-operation, said Russia did "not rule out amendments to this agreement," according to RIA news agency.

"The ABM treaty could be subject to modifications and various changes have been made to it," Ivashov said.

However, he warned that U.S. proposals for a missile defence system which breach the treaty would "lead to the collapse of the entire accord."

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While Russia was ready to talk "military-political and diplomatic measures" to ward off perceived threats of attack, he said Russia would insist that Washington should not abandon the ABM treaty.

"Such a step would destroy the system of checks and balances in the strategic sphere. If the United States begins deployment of an anti-missile system, Russia will announce that Washington has de facto abrogated the ABM Treaty," he said.

The treaty has been the cornerstone of more than 30 arms control agreements between Russia and the U.S. since it was signed in 1972.

Now President George W. Bush says America needs a missile defence system to guard against "rogue nations" like North Korea, Iran and Iraq -- but not its former Cold War foe Russia.

However, Russia believes such fears are unfounded and President Vladimir Putin has threatened a nuclear build-up if the U.S. pushes ahead with missile defence plans.