By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Russia is disappointed with Washington’s written proposals on missile defence cooperation, but is willing to continue constructive talks on the issue, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.
Russia has fiercely opposed US plans to deploy new missile defence bases in Poland and the Czech Republic, suggesting Washington use radars on Russian soil to counter possible attacks from “rogue” states. The two countries have held a series of talks on the issue.
“If the informal proposals in Moscow were a mere improvisation, then this improvisation failed,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on his way back from Tuesday’s Mideast peace conference in the US.
“What we have received on paper is disappointing, but we do not rule out further dialogue with the Americans,” Lavrov said.
The foreign minister said Moscow considered missile defence a key element of strategic stability.
“Understanding between the two leading world powers on this issue strengthens strategic stability, and, as a result, everyone benefits from it. But when strategic stability is harmed by violations of the strategic arms reductions treaty (START treaty), or by unilateral deployment of anti-ballistic missile systems, everyone starts feeling uncomfortable,” the minister said.
“That is why, naturally, we will continue dialogue (on missile defence and related issues) with the United States,” Lavrov reiterated.