Vladimir Putin boasted of developing new nuclear weapons to strengthen Russia’s military power today and warned the United States not to ignore Moscow's objections to a planned missile defence shield in Europe.

President Putin pledged to counter the shield unless the US and Europe took account of Russia's concerns. He also called on the US to set a date for withdrawal of troops from Iraq, adding that the 2003 invasion had been an attempt to secure control of its oil reserves.

In a live televised question-and-answer programme with members of the public, Mr Putin made clear that he was determined to restore Russia’s military prestige by using the vast income from its own oil and gas resources. He said that Russia had a “grandiose” plan to strengthen the armed forces after years of decline following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

"We will develop missile technology including completely new strategic (nuclear) complexes, completely new. Work is continuing and continuing successfully," Mr Putin said.

He gave no details about the new nuclear weapon, but went on: "We have plans that are not only big, but grandiose, and they are fully realistic. Our armed forces will be more compact but more effective and better ensure Russia defence.”

The broadcast included footage of Russia’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Topol-M, being test-fired from the Plesetsk space centre in northern Russia. State television claimed that it had hit a target thousands of miles away in the Pacific.

"We serve our fatherland!" shouted a group of officers who had fired the missile after Mr Putin congratulated them on the achievement.

The president promised to introduce more new missiles, bomber aircraft and submarines over the next few years to bolster what he called the “nuclear triad” of Russia’s military capabilities.

"We will pay attention not only to developing the nuclear triad but other weapons as well. I hope that by 2012-15 we will see a new generation of jet fighters completed and sent into active duty,” he said.

Mr Putin said that Russia would modernise its fleet of Bear strategic nuclear bombers, which he ordered to resume round-the-clock patrols in August for the first time since the end of the Cold War. Britain and other Nato countries have scrambled jet fighters repeatedly in recent months to shadow the bombers near their air space.

Mr Putin said that the US was seriously examining Russian proposals to end the stand-off over the planned missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. But he warned: “If a decision is made without taking Russia's opinion into account, then we will certainly take steps in response, to ensure the security of Russian citizens.”

He also appeared to link the US intervention in Iraq with the need for Russia to defend its energy reserves in answer to a question from a mechanic from Siberia. The caller raised a comment allegedly made by former US Secretary of State Madeline Albright that it was “unjust” for Russia to have exclusive rights to the oil in Siberia.

Mr Putin replied that he was not familiar with the comment but added: "I know that such ideas occupy the minds of certain politicians. This is a kind of political erotica, which perhaps, can give some people pleasure but is unlikely to yield any results.

“The best example of that are the events in Iraq — a small country that can hardly defend itself and which possesses huge oil reserves. And we see what's going on there.”

He urged the US to set a date for ending its occupation of Iraq, saying it was “absolutely pointless to fight with a people”.

“Russia, thank God, isn't Iraq. It has enough strength and power to defend itself and its interests, both on its territory and in other parts of the world.”

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