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US ambassador says missile defense in EU won't undermine Russia’s strategic capabilities

The NATO missile defense system is designed to ensure full-scale range and protection of the NATO countries’ European territory against growing threats linked to the spread of ballistic missiles
US troops taking part in joint exercise with Poland’s troops to demonstrate the US Army’s capacity to deploy Patriot systems rapidly within NATO territory AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski
US troops taking part in joint exercise with Poland’s troops to demonstrate the US Army’s capacity to deploy Patriot systems rapidly within NATO territory
© AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski

MOSCOW, June 7 /TASS/. The US missile defense in Europe is not directed against Russia and will not undermine Russia’s strategic abilities to deter threats, US Ambassador to Russia John Tefft wrote on the VK social network on Tuesday as he answered the users’ questions.

He said that the United States had offered Russia to cooperate in the field of missile defense, including the creation of two Russia-NATO centers and plans for reaching a transparency regime between the sides.

"Russia turned down all the proposals, which could contribute to developing cooperation and transparency. It was the Russian side that unilaterally terminated the partnership dialogue in 2013," Tefft said.

"The NATO missile defense system is not linked to Russia. It is not directed against Russia and will not undermine Russia’s strategic abilities to deter threats," the US diplomat said.

According to him, the NATO missile defense system is designed to ensure full-scale range and protection of the NATO countries’ European territory against growing threats linked to the spread of ballistic missiles.