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Russian-US talks on ABM not remove Russia’s concerns

“We discussed strategic stability with the focus on carrying out American missile defence plans,” Antonov said
Фото EPA/ИТАР-ТАСС
Фото EPA/ИТАР-ТАСС

BRUSSELS, April 30 (Itar-Tass) -Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov said his meeting with his U.S. counterpart Jim Miller had not removed Russia’s concerns over America’s missile defence plans.

After the meeting on Tuesday, Antonov told Itar-Tass: “Missile defence problems are too complicated in order to hope that Russia’s concerns will be removed at once.”

“Too many problems in this aspect accumulated between the two countries,” the Russian minister added.

“We discussed strategic stability with the focus on carrying out American missile defence plans,” Antonov said.

He stressed that this was the first meeting of the deputies minister of both countries after the 10-month-long break due to the election campaign in the United States.

“The key issue, which was raised at the meeting, is the effects of the 4th phase of the U.S. missile defence adaptive programme. Special attention was riveted to revealing the U.S. next steps,” Antonov said.

He noted that Russia hoped to continue the missile defence talks with Miller in Moscow. “During today’s consultations, I’ve invited my American colleague to take part in the international conference on European security due to take place in Moscow on May 23-24. We’re planning to continue the inter-ministerial talks when the conference ends,” Antonov said.

He recalled that the meeting in Brussels was held within the agreement between Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and U.S. Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel.