Moscow, Beijing discussing implications of possible deployment of U.S. anti-ballistic missile defense systems in S. Korea - Foreign Ministry
MOSCOW. Sept 2 (Interfax) - Russia warns that the possible deployment of U.S. THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense systems in South Korea would be counterproductive and has already started discussing the matter with China, taking into consideration that this country is also concerned about Washington and Seoul's plans.
"There has been a lot of talk about the impending deployment of U.S. THAAD Nanti-ballistic missile defense systems in South Korea. We point it to our American and South Korean partners with all seriousness that this step would be counterproductive and would inevitably make the situation in Northeast Asia even more complicated," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov told Interfax.
Asked whether Moscow is considering a response to the U.S. anti-ballistic missile systems' deployment in Asia together with Beijing, Morgulov replied, "As for China, it is also concerned about the prospect of THAAD systems' appearance in the Republic of Korea."
"This theme was among the key ones on the agenda of the first round of a Russian-Chinese dialogue on security in Northeast Asia that took place in Shanghai in April this year," he said.
Russia has repeatedly expressed its concerns about U.S. plans to gain unilateral military advantage under the guise of countering the so-called North Korean nuclear missile threat, including by deploying new missile defense sites in Northeast Asia, the diplomat said.
"Unfortunately, everything that we have heard in reply from Washington and Seoul has been boiled down to soothing assurances to the effect that no decision has yet been made and no negotiations have been held on THAADs. In other words, don't worry today and don't think about tomorrow. To put it mildly, this logic doesn't suit us," Morgulov said.
