Russia and NATO discuss Turkey missile request

Russia and NATO discussed on Friday Moscow's opposition to the possible deployment of Patriot missiles near Turkey's border with Syria, the statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry says.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia's concerns about Turkey's request for NATO to deploy the surface-to-air missiles because of Ankara's fears of spillover from the civil war in Syria.

Today he discussed the issue by telephone with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who said on Thursday the alliance would "do what it takes to defend our ally Turkey".