Russia threatens missile deployment on EU borders

To strike against a planned US defence system:

Russia: Russia on Wednesday threatened to deploy missiles on the EU’s borders to strike against a planned US defence system in eastern Europe, but Washington said the shield will go ahead as planned.

Using rhetoric reminiscent of the Cold War, President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia was prepared to deploy Iskander missiles, which officials said have a range of up to 500 kilometres (310 miles), in the Kaliningrad exclave that borders EU members Poland and Lithuania.

He said the weapons systems might also be deployed in the south close to Russia’s foe Georgia and NATO member Turkey — and be used to eliminate the missile defence systems.

In Washington, a spokesman for the National Security Council said that “we will not in any way limit or change our deployment plans for Europe” despite continuing “to work with Russia to define the parameters of possible cooperation.” “The United States has been open and transparent with Russia on our plans for missile defense in Europe, which reflect a growing threat to our allies from Iran that we are committed to deterring,” Tommy Vietor said. AFP