Kremlin looks beyond U.S. elections

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MOSCOW, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Russia's deputy prime minister expressed concern that another arms race would ensue should Mitt Romney win the U.S. presidential election in November.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said he predicted more U.S. spending on military programs should Romney unseat incumbent President Barack Obama in November.

"If Mr. Romney wins the presidential election, the United States could fall back to a time when the bulk of revenues goes to a small group of people and military programs are prioritized," he was quoted by Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti as saying. "Unfortunately, military programs will play an increasing role in Russia as well, if this happens."

Plans by Obama to deploy a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe have upset the Kremlin, which says the system would upset the strategic balance of power. Russian President Vladimir Putin had said, however, that although he could work with Romney, the former Massachusetts governor's rhetoric on Russia made him wary.

Romney has said he considers Russia to be a top geopolitical concern for the United States.