Russia on Tuesday accused the United States of stepping up plans to install an anti-missile system in Europe, according to Interfax news agency.
The comments from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov mark a sharper tone from Moscow after a series of conciliatory comments on U.S. plans to deploy elements of the system in Central Europe.
Moscow said it had hoped the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama would revise plans initiated under former President George W. Bush to construct the system and welcomed calls initiated by the U.S. side to "reset" relations.
"The U.S. has not revised its plans. I do not think that this could happen. On the contrary, we can see that work in missile defense has intensified, including in the NATO format," Ryabkov was quoted by Interfax as saying.
Washington says deployment of interceptor missiles to Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic does not target Russia, but future potential attacks from countries like Iran.
The new U.S. administration has been less assertive in pushing the plan, insisting it would be reviewed for cost-effectiveness and viability, although Obama stood by the overall scheme during a speech in Prague earlier this month.
Ryabkov repeated Moscow''s threat that if the United States does go ahead with the anti-missile system, that Russia will respond by placing its short-range Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad enclave, nestled between NATO members Poland and Lithuania.
To improve training, medical training centres are being equipped with training kits
Ensuring access to primary health care in remote and hard-to-reach areas
Thousands of people in Shahrinav receive better access to healthcare
#TeamEurope Increasing awareness of diabetes care in Tajikistan
Foreign students attacked at Gujarat university over namaz
Saudi Arabia provides assistance to vulnerable families in Tajikistan during the month of Ramadan
Uzbekistan denies Russian expert’s claim it shot down Afghan military helicopter
Tajik ambassador participates in unveiling ceremony of the bust of Abu Abdullah Rudaki in London
Five of fourteen accused of kidnapping and killing Orienbonk deputy head sentenced to life in prison
Director of post office in Vahdat Township faces charges of embezzling large amount of state funds
All news
Авторизуйтесь, пожалуйста