Any efforts by the United States to be transparent about plans to deploy pieces of its missile defense shield in Eastern Europe would not entirely placate Russia, the country”s foreign minister said on Sunday.
Russia has interpreted U.S. plans, which would include deploying a radar system in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland to repel possible attack from Iran, as a direct threat to its security.
The dispute over the U.S. missile shield has become one of the key factors behind a chill in relations between Moscow and Washington to post-Cold War lows.
“It would be better if the Americans gave up the idea,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in the Peruvian capital Lima, where President Dmitry Medvedev was attending a summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, or APEC.
“If, despite all, the United States carries out its plans, it will need to provide transparency measures to reduce Russian concerns,” he added. “But our concerns would be fully removed only if Washington gives up its plan and starts working on a joint missile defense system from scratch.”
At times, the two countries have considered building a joint system, and the United States has suggested “transparency” measures to build mutual trust.
But earlier this month, Medvedev announced that Russia will deploy its own missiles in the westernmost enclave of Kaliningrad, bordering NATO members Poland and Lithuania.
Medvedev also said the Russian military will electronically suppress U.S. radars.
