Peskov on whether Russia might deploy missiles in Cuba, Venezuela: Russia exploring security options

MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax) - Russia is exploring ways to ensure national security, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to a question whether Russian missiles might be deployed in Cuba and Venezuela.

Journalists drew Peskov's attention on Monday to the statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov who neither confirmed nor denied plans to deploy Russian missiles in Cuba and Venezuela. They wondered whether Moscow was considering such possibilities.

"Obviously, in the context of the current situation, Russia is exploring options that would ensure its security," Peskov said.

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said earlier the United States had 18 scenarios in case of an escalation in Ukraine, he said.

"We are also considering various scenarios and we believe that, actually, there should be far fewer of them, because we are very specific about formulating the question. There is no need to make something complicated whenever this something is not so complicated. The questions that have been asked are very direct and specific," Peskov said.