Russia says missile defense talks with U.S. deadlocked
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E-mail Xinhua, May 3, 2012
Russia on Thursday said that talks with the United States on the European missile defense system were deadlocked but there are still chances for agreement.
"The situation is practically reaching an impasse," Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov told an international meeting on missile defense issues in Moscow.
"The U.S. and NATO intend to continue developing missile defense without taking into account the Russian concerns," Serdyukov said.
However, he stressed that Moscow does not "agree with the point that it is impossible to come to terms on missile defense issues."
"We do not intend to impose our point of view, and we are ready for open dialogue," he said.
Also at the meeting, Russian Chief of the General Staff Nikolai Makarov stressed that Russia does not believe the U.S. promise that the missile defense system is not targeting Russia.
Russia's response to the U.S.-led NATO system will pose a threat to all countries hosting elements of the system, Makarov said.
Besides, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev warned that the development of the missile defense system is undermining strategic stability at both regional and global levels.
Moscow has long opposed the deployment of the U.S.-led NATO missile defense facilities near its borders and wants legally binding guarantees from the United States and NATO that the missile defense shield does not target Russia.
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