Missile site change doesn't alter Russian view
Tuesday 19 March 2013
Printable
EmailRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said yesterday that the United States's cancellation of a part of its European missile defence system plan doesn't affect Moscow's opposition.
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel announced last week that missile interceptors will be placed in Alaska rather than Poland and Romania as planned.
The interceptors were to be the final phase of a programme that Russia contends aims to counter its own missiles.
Washington claims the system is meant to stop missiles from Iran and North Korea.
Mr Ryabkov told the Kommersant newspaper: "We feel no euphoria in connection with what was announced by the US defence secretary. We see no grounds for correcting our position."
"This is not a concession to Russia and we do not see it as such," he said.
"We will seek legally binding agreements that all elements of the US missile-defence system are not aimed at Russian strategic nuclear forces."
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