Russia expects U.S. to officially explain missile defense plans at news briefing - diplomat
MOSCOW. March 27 (Interfax) - Russia expects the United States to clarify its plans concerning its missile defense program in the near future in light of an earlier announcement that it would not go ahead with the 4th phase of the program, which originally envisioned the deployment of long-range interceptors in Poland, a high-ranking Russian official has said.
"We need to understand the essence of this decision. We expect the Americans to give a news briefing on this account in the near future," Russian Permanent Envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko said at a video conference from Brussels on Wednesday.
Moscow still insists on being provided with legal guarantees that the U.S. missile defense system will not be targeted against Russia's strategic deterrence potential, he said.
NATO's growth is not making the region safer, and the deployment of NATO military infrastructure near Russian borders "only adds new dividing lines," Grushko said.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said at the same video conference that the alliance's position remains unchanged, i.e. the NATO missile defense system is not targeted against Russia.