As one of possible steps, it was suggested to remove from discussion the proposal, put forward at the talks, on the setting of speed limits for interceptor missiles. The Russian expert believes it was not accidental that Russia put forward this proposal. It helps to draw a dividing line between regional systems, which are permitted by the ABM treaty, and the strategic ones, banned by it.
In his opinion, the preservation of the ABM treaty is more important for Russia, than the development of the ABM system for theatre of operations, on which the U.S. side insists. Podvig believes the Russian stand is not only the result of the limited possibilities of our country in developing its own ABM systems for theatre of operationss. If Russia accepts the U.S. conceptual framework, this will actually mean that it agrees to the creation in the U.S. of the weapon systems that can be used for waging so-called "star wars", which are again becoming popular across the ocean.