MOSCOW, May 15. /TASS/. The Russian side retains the right to response measures in connection with deployment of U.S. missile defense elements in Europe, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Saturday in the Right to Know program on TVC television channel.
"The diplomatic process was proceeding long, talks were being held. Several years ago, a large-scale conference, a symposium involving military experts, representatives of the Defense Ministry, General Staff, diplomats, analysts with participation of NATO countries’ representatives took place," Zakharova said.
"At the conference, the Russian side suggested looking at what will be in case of building and deployment of a unilateral missile defense system informatively and with specific figures, maps and diagrams," she said.
"Which threats it will really cover, which threats will not be covered by it and which bonuses could be available from a joint system that we were ready to create with NATO, the United States," Zakharova said.
"We have done everything. As of today, we have nothing to blame ourselves for from the viewpoint of diplomacy or specific proposals made to our Western colleagues," she said.
"Taking into account what the situation is today, we certainly retain the right to a response step," Zakharova said.