Russia on AMD: Words not enough

Published time: April 19, 2012 12:10
Edited time: April 19, 2012 16:12
Sergey Lavrov gives a press conference after the NATO-Russia Council meeting in Brussels, on April 19, 2012 (AFP Photo / John Thys)

Moscow insists on legally-binding rather than political guarantees that the European missile defense system will not be targeted against Russia, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says.

“It’s absolutely not enough to say that in 1997 [by signing the Russia-NATO Founding Act] we declared that we are not enemies and pledged to take into account each other’s security,” Lavrov told a media conference after a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council in Brussels.

The diplomat reiterated the stance Moscow has long taken: it needs “clear and firm guarantees” that the planned missile defense shield would not pose a threat to Russia.

Lavrov underlined that such guarantees must “be accompanied by jointly agreed military, technical and other criteria” which throughout the implementation of the missile defense project would enable Russia to see that it is not aimed at any European country.

“Of course, words are important, and we do hear these words. However, ‘trust, but verify’, as US President [Ronald Reagan] used to say,” Lavrov pointed out. In military issues, as well as in politics, potential is important, but not intentions or promises, he added.

Speaking in Brussels, the foreign minister also said that Russia and the US may reduce tactical nuclear weapons on a mutual basis only after America withdraws such weapons from Europe.

“Unlike Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons, US weapons are deployed outside the country,” Lavrov stated. Furthermore, the infrastructure for their use remains in full combat readiness.

The minister stressed that before talks on the matter could begin, the positions of both sides should be considered on an equal basis.

Comments (16)

Claudius Stahlkopf (unregistered) 11.07.2012 06:31

By definition a mercantile nation cannot be trusted , merchants by nature are crooks !! I recomand Russia to put nuclear war head at the border of the country whom have accepted the US missiles  ,  Poland  , Romagna  ,etc ,  let's them know their country's in  case of a problem will be  flat  like a parking  lot , they should consider this offer !!!No compromise zero tolerances with nations run by crooks and perverts Is time to clean the stable with the pitch forks

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claudius stahlkopf (unregistered) 11.07.2012 06:17

the best defense for russia would be to destabalise usa zion govt wrote in #1 the hostility will never end until the mentaly ill people are removed from power.

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ari 04.05.2012 19:25

I do not think it is unforseeable for America to become a fascist neo con led country in the next 25 years.  And when that happens and when fascist America tries to impose her imprimatur on the world under its unilateral Pax Americana, touching on Russia and China, that will be the start of the end of America. Like Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany, Washington will meet its "Stalingrad" when it attempts to invade Russia. Moscow can quickly turn the tables and counter-attack leading to the conquest of Washington by Russian forces from across the Bering Straits. The same with China.  As Genghis Khan failed to conquer China during his life-time, and as Kublai Khan's hold on China lasted about 50 years only before the Mongols were quickly overthrown and hunted down like pack rats, so the same fate awaits Americans if it ever tries to take over China. The question now is - Will Americans be able to wrest back control of their country from the manipulative, unscrupulous, far right neo cons and corporate America?  I will only believe that Americans have a mind of their own when I see someone like Ron Paul of Gary Johnson gets elected as President and war mongers Mitt Romney and Barrack Obama thrown out by the Americans. Otherwise Americans and American democracy is a hugely laughable joke.

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