Washington: The US Wednesday said the missile defence system being deployed in Europe “does not and cannot threaten Russia’s strategic deterrent”.
“We’ve been open and transparent with Russia on our plans for missile defense for a long time. We believe our missile defense reflects the growing threat to our allies from Iran that we’re committed to deterring,” US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.
The spokesman was responding to threats by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to station contemporary missile systems in the western and southern regions of Russia in response to any additional US missile deployments in Europe, reported Xinhua.
The president also warned Wednesday that Russia may withdraw from the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with the US, grumbling about the disregard of Moscow’s demand for written, legal guarantees that the US missile shield in Europe will not target Russia. (IANS)
