GORKI, Moscow region, October 19 (Itar-Tass) — Russia is preparing measures of retaliation to the deployment of elements of the U.S. antiballistic missile system in eastern Europe but still it will continue talks with the U.S. on the issue, the Russian ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin said Wednesday.
Russia's approach to the problem that has ignited differences between Moscow and Washington is based on a combination of retaliatory measures and the continued process of negotiations.
"Quite possibly, we'll combine the retaliatory steps with the continuation of talks, and the final say in deciding on it belongs to the President," Rogozin said.
He indicated in this connection that Russia does not make any promises as regards participation in NATO's summit in Chicago next May.
"A decision on whether or not to take part in it will be made by the next President whom the Russians will elect in March 2012," Rogozin said.
He recalled that Russia and the U.S. had agreed to try and settle the differences around the antiballistic missiles system before the Chicago summit.
If the U.S. does not make any productive proposals by that time, he plans making a recommendation to the President then to stay away from the Russia-NATO Council summmit during the North-Atlantic pact's conference in Chicago.