“The Ballistic Missile Defence is not designed or directed against Russia and will not undermine its strategic deterrence capabilities,” Erjavec said, commenting on the alliance's decision to open a new missile defense base in Romania, plan to deploy a defense system in Poland and NATO further expansion close to Russia’s border.
In May, the United States activated its Aegis ashore ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) in Romania and broke ground on another Aegis ashore site in Poland.
“NATO has repeatedly made clear that missile defence is not about any one country, but about the threat posed by proliferation more generally,” the minister assured, adding that over 30 countries have obtained, or are trying to obtain, the ballistic missile technology.
Russia opposes and has repeatedly expressed concern over the creation of the ballistic missile defense system in Europe, which was approved in 2010 during a NATO summit in Lisbon.
US officials have unsuccessfully sought to persuade Russia that the NATO missile shield is not aimed at Russia, and that the interceptor rockets being deployed would not be effective in countering the Russian missile-based nuclear deterrent.
