BRUSSELS -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has dismissed warnings from Moscow regarding NATO's plan to construct a missile-defense system in Europe.
Senior Russian officials have recently said that negotiations with the Unites States over the U.S.-led missile shield had reached a "dead end," and that Russia might deploy missiles in Kaliningrad, an exclave bordering NATO member states, in response to the system.
Speaking to RFE/RL on May 11 in Brussels, Rasmussen called the Russian statements "negotiation tactics."
He also expressed regret, saying the statements run counter to a NATO-Russia agreement reached two years ago at a summit in Lisbon for the two sides to develop a "strategic partnership," including over issues such as missile defense.
Russia says the NATO missile shield could threaten its national security.
Senior Russian officials have recently said that negotiations with the Unites States over the U.S.-led missile shield had reached a "dead end," and that Russia might deploy missiles in Kaliningrad, an exclave bordering NATO member states, in response to the system.
Speaking to RFE/RL on May 11 in Brussels, Rasmussen called the Russian statements "negotiation tactics."
He also expressed regret, saying the statements run counter to a NATO-Russia agreement reached two years ago at a summit in Lisbon for the two sides to develop a "strategic partnership," including over issues such as missile defense.
Russia says the NATO missile shield could threaten its national security.
