Russia renews demands for missile shield ‘guarantees’

Russia’s foreign minister yesterday renewed demands for “solid legal guarantees” that a proposed US missile defence shield in Europe is not aimed at Russia.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia had concerns about Europe, where the United States wants a shield, and the Asia-Pacific – a veiled reference to North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.

Speaking to the UN General Assembly, Lavrov demanded “universally acceptable approaches” to missile defence, weaponisation of space and reducing conventional arms imbalances.

The US has insisted that its missile shield is intended to stop attacks by rogue states such as Iran. Russia fears that it aims to undermine its nuclear deterrent.

Nato has already rejected calls to give a binding declaration about the shield.

Without mentioning the US, Mr Lavrov said: “Deployment of strategic missile defence elements in various parts of the world alters the overall configuration of international security.

“It is not enough to make statements that the increase in global missile defence capabilities would not undermine the basics of strategic capability. The issue is way too serious.

“We need solid legal guarantees” that the missile defence is aimed at the “declared objectives and will not disrupt global and regional balances. This equally holds true for Europe, and for the Asia-Pacific region, where ballistic missile defence is becoming a factor that affects the strategic environment,” the Russian minister said.

Mr Lavrov also reaffirmed Russia’s demand for a negotiated end to the stand-offs with Iran and North Korea over their nuclear programmes.

“We see no alternative to their political and diplomatic settlement,” he said, calling for new efforts to set up talks. He warned the United States and others dealing with Iran and North Korea to act “with utmost responsibility”.