NATO to hold additional consultations on presence of Patriot missiles in Turkey
MOSCOW. Oct 9 (Interfax) - NATO will conduct additional consultations regarding the dates by which its mission involving the presence of Patriot missiles in Turkey to counter threats emanating from Syria should be completed, Russia's permanent envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko said during a teleconference with Brussels.
"It has been announced that NATO will conduct additional consultations regarding the dates for implementing and completing this mission. Therefore, let's see what decisions the alliance will arrive at," he said.
"It was decided [earlier] that Patriot missile systems would be deployed in the territory of this country [Turkey] to ensure defense against so-called ballistic threats from Syria's side," Grushko said.
"It is a question, though, how realistic such scenarios are," he added.
The U.S. announced on August 16 that Patriot missiles would be withdrawn from Turkey in October 2015, when the deadline for their presence there is to expire. Pentagon spokesperson Capt. Jeff Davis said the decision on their withdrawal had been made as the neighboring Syria's military potential had lowered.