NATO official: Missile defense elements in Romania are no threat to Russia

The NATO missile defense elements represent no threat to Russia, according to Alexander Vershbow, Deputy Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO. “NATO and Russia have agreed there is a threat on the proliferation of ballistic missiles. The North-Atlantic alliance has to protect itself, just as Russia does too. Despite all evidence, Russia refuses to see that the NATO anti-missile defense system contributes to strengthening regional security and responds to threats unrelated to Russia,” said Vershbow, cited by RIA Novosti, reports local Mediafax. The missile defense elements installed in Romania and the entire NATO anti-missile system represents no threat to Russia, he added. This statement comes after Aleksandr Grushko, Russia’s representative to NATO, said that Russia will take measures in reply to the transfer of a new military base in Romania to U.S. command. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com