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Medvedev says Obama refuses to sign legally binding agreements on missile defence

The United States is reluctant to sign such an agreement either in the Russia-suggested sectoral ABM format or in whatever other formats

MOSCOW, December 1 (Itar-Tass) —— Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama had refused to sign any legally binding documents to guarantee that the U.S. missile defence system in Europe is not targeted against Russia.

At talks with the president of the United States “we heard that they had lent an ear to our concerns,” Medvedev said at a meeting with his supporters, recalling his meeting with Barack Obama in Honolulu on November 14. “The American side was utterly candid – we are not going to sign any legally binding documents,” Medvedev said.

According to the Russian president, the United States is reluctant to sign such an agreement either in the Russia-suggested sectoral ABM format or in whatever other formats. “Because today it is not advantageous politically for the United States, and such an agreement with Russia will not pass through the crucible of the U.S. Congress or other European structures,” he added.