Russia won't put missiles in Kaliningrad: Medvedev
Sunday, 27 September 2009
PITTSBURGH, Sept 26 (Reuters): Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Friday he will call off his decision to deploy missiles in the enclave of Kaliningrad, his response to the United States scrapping missile shield plans in Europe.
US President Barack Obama last week announced Washington will not put interceptor missiles in Poland or a radar system in the Czech Republic, parts of a project viewed by the United States as protection against potential attacks from Iran.
Medvedev, who met Obama in New York Wednesday, has described that decision as "courageous."
Dealing with the issues of the US missile shield, Iran and nuclear disarmament are major elements of attempts by Medvedev and Obama to reset thorny bilateral relations that had plunged to post-Cold War lows under the Bush administration.
To Russia, the US missile shield plan for eastern Europe was a threat to its security.
US President Barack Obama last week announced Washington will not put interceptor missiles in Poland or a radar system in the Czech Republic, parts of a project viewed by the United States as protection against potential attacks from Iran.
Medvedev, who met Obama in New York Wednesday, has described that decision as "courageous."
Dealing with the issues of the US missile shield, Iran and nuclear disarmament are major elements of attempts by Medvedev and Obama to reset thorny bilateral relations that had plunged to post-Cold War lows under the Bush administration.
To Russia, the US missile shield plan for eastern Europe was a threat to its security.