Tag: missile shield

Russia’s top military officer threatened yesterday (3 May) to carry out a preemptive strike on US-led NATO missile defence facilities in Eastern Europe if the US goes ahead with its controversial plan to build a missile shield. 

Romanian President Traian Basescu signed an agreement in Washington yesterday (13 September) to host elements of a US anti-missile shield on Romanian territory. Russia immediately reacted, saying the agreement was ill-timed and asking guarantees that it is not aimed at her own strategic arsenal.

Russia pledged yesterday (3 November) to boost cooperation with NATO in Afghanistan and consider a joint missile defence shield, offering signs of better ties with its Cold War foes during a visit by the alliance's chief.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said ahead of talks with NATO allies today (14 October) that he was concerned by defence spending cuts in Europe that threatened to put more pressure on an increasingly stretched US military. European countries hit by the financial crisis are poised to make big cuts in defence budgets.

Russia today (16 February) poured cold water over Transnistria's invitation to Moscow to deploy missiles close to its border with Romania in response to Bucharest's readiness to host a US anti-missile shield. Russia's move appears to represent a message to small countries to "step aside" until the issue has been discussed with Washington.