Plans to deploy elements of anti missile defense system in Europe indirectly aimed at Russia: Russian president

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expects that the new U.S. administration will have a more inventive approach to the deployment of elements of anti missile defense system in Europe than the Bush administration. Medvedev intends to discuss this issue with the President Barack Obama at the summit of “Twenty” in London in April. This statement made by Medvedev in an interview with Spanish media the day before of his visit to Madrid.

The idea of placing anti missile defense elements in Europe is “not relevant” and causes Russia’s “feeling of annoyance”, because this idea is indirectly aimed at Russia. 

“Certainly, Russia is not happy, it is absolutely obvious. But what can that be? Nobody denies various threats, including nuclear terrorism and threats from countries with unstable regimes. Let us respond to these threats together rather than isolating each other of these processes, and we have suggested this to our American partners,” said Medvedev.

Moscow believes that the new U.S. administration will have more creative approach to the issue. 

“We have already received similar signals from our American partners. We hope that these signals turned to be concrete proposals. I believe that my first meeting with new U.S. President Obama will yield its results. This is a quite serious issue for Europe,” Russian President said.  

The U.S. plans to deploy ten rocket-interceptors in Poland before 2013, including radars in Czech Republic. Russia fears that this system might damage its safety. 

Russia in response to the U.S. may deploy rocket complex Iskandar in Kaliningrad, the RIA Novosti reported.