The West expressed surprise with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s response to US missile defense in Europe. The president ordered radar units and offensive forces in Kaliningrad to be enforced. If the situation worsens Russia may leave the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
The US still refuses to abandon the missile defenses. Tommy Vitor, spokesman for the National Security Council, said that the systems in Europe would not be a threat and cannot threaten Russian strategic security. He added that Washington is still devoted to cooperation with Russia. Although the US refuses to give legal guarantees to back its statements.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressed regret after Medvedev’s statement. Russia’s actions recall the past and do not correspong to its strategic cooperation with NATO. The secretary general expressed confidence that Russia and the NATO could build up security together.
