Russia, NATO to hold missile defence drills
February 2nd, 2012 - 9:06 pm ICT by IANSMoscow, Feb 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia and NATO will hold joint computer-simulated missile defence exercises in Germany in March, an official said Thursday.
The decision to conduct these drills was taken at the NATO-Russia Summit in Lisbon in November 2010.
“The exact timetable for the drills has not been determined yet,” Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov said. “I think we may aim for March.”
Antonov downplayed the importance of the upcoming exercises in light of the current deadlock in missile defence talks between Russia and NATO.
Russia has proposed a joint system, while NATO favours two independent systems which exchange information.
Moscow is seeking written, legally binding guarantees that the US-backed European missile defence network will not be directed against it.
Washington, however, refuses to provide the guarantees, saying the shield is directed against threats from Iran and North Korea.
“Unfortunately, there has been no progress (in missile defence talks),” Antonov said. “It is a pity that the situation is not changing as our colleagues from the United States and NATO are still not ready to understand Russia’s concerns.”
–IANS/RIA Novosti
snb/vt
- Russia expects US compromise on missile defense - Oct 27, 2011
- Russia tests interceptor missile - Dec 21, 2011
- Medvedev, Obama to discuss missile issue at G8 summit - May 16, 2011
- Medvedev, Obama to discuss missile defence - Nov 11, 2011
- Russia will counter US missile defence: Medvedev - Feb 22, 2012
- Russia to build anti-NATO missile shield - Feb 05, 2012
- Russia, China complete first stage of naval drills - Apr 25, 2012
- 'Russia has no business in NATO missile defence' - May 23, 2012
- Russia, NATO fighters to hold first anti-terror drill - Jun 01, 2011
- US, Russia to continue missile defence talks - Aug 09, 2011
- US, Russia missile shield deal in two years - Mar 29, 2012
- US not cooperating with Russia on missile defence: Minister - Sep 04, 2011
- Moscow wants missile defence talks at NATO summit - Mar 06, 2012
- Russia, US to hold anti-terror drill - Oct 04, 2011
- NATO commander to talk Euro missile shield in Moscow - Oct 10, 2011
Tags: anatoly, antonov, colleagues, deadlock, defence network, deputy defence minister, exact timetable, exercises, favours, feb 2, guarantees, independent systems, lisbon, missile defence, moscow, nato russia, north korea, ria novosti russia, russia summit, snb