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US plans to deploy weapons in Poland aimed at disrupting stability — Russian diplomat

As was reported earlier, the Pentagon has started deploying components of the land-based Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system near the Polish community of Redzikowo

MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. Russia is concerned over the US plans to deploy ballistic missile defense systems in Poland as these steps are aimed at disrupting strategic stability, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Thursday.

"This is a subject of our constant concern. We have long been aware of these deployment plans. We view them as the steps aimed at disrupting strategic stability," the senior Russian diplomat stressed.

NATO has repeatedly assured Moscow that the efforts being taken within the alliance are intended to "ward off the so-called missile threat from Iran," Grushko said. "Even the latest statement adopted at the summit in Brussels also says that this potential is unable to affect the Russian strategic forces," he added.

"Nonetheless, in our estimates, these two facilities in Poland and Romania together with other weapon systems and the seaborne component that the Americans have deployed at the Rota base in Spain are capable of intercepting the corresponding missiles. Let me stress again that this cannot but cause our concern," Grushko added.

Also, no limitations exist for technology development, and these systems may eventually acquire quite a different quality compared to today’s potential, the high-ranking Russian diplomat went on to say. "When we speak about a new equation of strategic stability, this element will be taken into account in our position," the deputy foreign minister said.

As was reported earlier, the Pentagon has started deploying components of the land-based Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system near the Polish community of Redzikowo, without waiting for the completion of all the construction works on the site.

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