Moscow seeks legally-binding US pledge that its missile shield won’t threaten Russia
Daily Reporter
By Vladimir Isachenkov (Associated Press)
May 16, 2011
Russia wants the United States to provide Moscow with guarantees that a prospective U.S.-led missile shield wouldn’t threaten its security, a senior Russia official said Monday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that Washington’s refusal to provide such guarantees could derail efforts by Russia and NATO to cooperate on missile defense.
“We can’t base our security on assurances and promises, we need a legally-binding agreement,” Ryabkov told lawmakers during parliamentary hearings.
He said that Moscow was disappointed by a negative U.S. reaction to its demand.
Russia considers the U.S.-led missile defense plans as a potential threat to its security. It has agreed to consider NATO’s proposal last fall to cooperate on the missile shield, but insisted that the system should be run jointly. NATO has rejected that demand.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned that a failure to reach a deal on the issue could force Russia to deploy new offensive weapons, triggering a new arms race.
A landmark arms control treaty called New START has helped improve relations between Moscow and Washington, but Russia has continued to view U.S. missile defense plans with suspicion. …
www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/2b6b28fce36d4ec2983be37cf1ff19d6/EU–Russia-US-Missile-Defense/
