One day before the activation of the US missile defense system in Romania, the Russian Foreign Ministry sharply criticized this action on Wednesday, stating that the activation of this missile defense system jeopardizes the balance of power in Europe and violates the international treaty between Moscow and Washington. According to Interfax news agency, Mikhail Ulyanov, head of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said: 'Such a decision is harmful and wrong and can destabilize strategic stability.' According to Reuters, the US and NATO have claimed for nearly a decade that the main purpose of this missile defense system is to counter the threat of ballistic missiles from the Middle East, particularly Iran. In contrast, Russia insists that the deployment of this system in Romania, near its borders and considering its great distance from Iran, is unjustified. Mikhail Ulyanov, however, emphasized that this system is capable of launching cruise missiles, which could pose a threat to Russia. In this context, General Sergey Karakayev, commander of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, stated earlier this week that Moscow is developing an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of penetrating the US missile defense shield. The US missile defense system, aimed at protecting Europe from ballistic missiles, is set to be activated on Thursday, May 23, and another facility in Poland will also become operational on Friday. The new facilities in southern Romania will be inaugurated on Thursday with the presence of senior officials from that country and the NATO Secretary General. The Polish facilities, located near the Baltic Sea, will be inaugurated on Friday and are expected to be operational by 2018. The US missile defense system project in Eastern Europe began during the presidency of George W. Bush and continued with changes during Barack Obama's administration. One of the changes was the removal of facilities that were to be established in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic's participation in this project soured its relations with Russia, and as a result, Prague is dissatisfied with the changes in the US plans. In the early years of the development of this project, NATO and the Russian government cooperated under an agreement called 'strategic cooperation.' However, currently, the relations between the two sides have taken on a confrontational nature, one prominent example being the recent confrontations between US and Russian armed forces in the Baltic Sea.
Russia Protests the Activation of the US Missile Defense System in Europe
Russia has strongly protested the activation of the US missile defense system in Romania, claiming it threatens the balance of power in Europe and violates international treaties. The US maintains that the system is aimed at countering threats from the Middle East, particularly Iran. This situation highlights the increasing tensions between Russia and NATO.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Russia has protested the activation of a US missile defense system in Romania, claiming it threatens strategic stability and violates treaties. The US and NATO argue the system is to counter threats from the Middle East, particularly Iran.
- The US missile defense system in Romania is set to be activated on May 23.
- Russia claims the system can launch cruise missiles, posing a threat to its security.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The US missile defense system in Europe has been a point of contention between NATO and Russia, with Russia viewing it as a threat to its security.
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