U.S. Assistant Defense Secretary Alexander Vershbow, a former American ambassador to Russia, has said the United States and NATO are determined to hold more talks with Russia on NATO's planned European missile defense, a source of bitter controversy between the two countries.
In an interview with the Baltic News Service, Vershbow reiterated assurances that the planned missile shield would not be directed against Russia and that it aims to fend off threats from outside Europe and poses no threat to Russia’s strategic nuclear forces.
He denied that NATO would take any measures in response to Russia’s deployment of new weapons near the borders of member states of the North Atlantic alliance.
Vershbow said the United States would cite facts about the planned defense system in talks with Russia.
In speaking about the financing of NATO operations, he insisted that all member states of the organization make their contributions.
He said Lithuania’s involvement in the alliance’s military operation in Afghanistan had made clear that even smaller member nations could play serious roles in NATO missions.
