Russia Wants Legal Guarantee It Is Not Target of US Missile Interceptors in Romania VOA News Russia says it wants legal guarantees that U.S. missile interceptors to be deployed in Romania will not be targeted against Russia's nuclear forces.
Romanian President Traian Basescu announced a deal Tuesday to allow U.S. interceptors to be installed at a former air base near the Bulgarian border. They will be part of a new defense shield for Europe.
Russia says the prospective missile defense system may pose a risk to Russian strategic nuclear forces in the future.
It says it is monitoring events very closely. The Russians say they want to immediately start coordinating plans for a missile shield for Europe, especially its impact on regional and global security.
The United States has assured Russia many times that its missile defense plans for Europe are not aimed against Russia. It says the system is aimed at countering a possible missile strike by Iran or North Korea.
The deal with Romania includes stationing about 200 U.S. troops at the interceptor site. Mr. Basescu says this provide Romania with “the highest level of security.”
Mr. Basescu also agreed to let U.S. troops and military equipment bound for Iraq and Afghanistan to go through a Romanian air base and harbor near the Black Sea.
Romania has more than 1,700 troops in Afghanistan.
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