SEVILLE, Spain, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russian Defense
Minister Sergei Ivanov warned the United States on Friday against its attempts
to deploy components of its strategic missile defense system near Russia's
border.
He said Washington's claim that the planned
deployment of radars and interceptors in the Czech Republic and Poland are aimed
against possible missile attacks from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK) and Iran does not convince him.
He argued that missiles from these two countries
cannot reach the United States. To interrupt missiles from these countries, the
defense system can be deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Turkey, he added,
indicating that the planned deployment in Eastern Europe might be against
Russia.
"I have a question: what is the real intention of
these activities?" Ivanov asked at a press conference.
He also warned that it is impossible to destroy an
intercontinental ballistic missile or a medium-range missile without harming
people living on Earth.
But he said Russia will not be dragged into a new
arms race. "If somebody tries to get us involved in an arms race, I would give
my definite answer: we will not be back to this arms race."
He said the planned deployment of missile defense
system in Eastern Europe will not harm Russian deterrence. Russia is capable of
developing its own system that can overcome any anti-ballistic missile defense,
he said.
"Our response will be asymmetric. It will not be
expensive," he added.
Related:
Official: U.S. military policy poses threat to Russia's security
MOSCOW, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. policy of preserving the world leadership is a real threat to Russia's national security, the Russian military chief of staff, Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky
said on Friday.
The U.S. military leadership's course aimed at maintaining its global leadership and expanding its economic, political and military presence in Russia's traditional zones of influence is the most real threat to the national security of Russia in the short
term, Baluyevsky said.
