Russian Defense Ministry officials are denying Russian news reports of a suspension of plans to deploy missiles in the country's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.
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| A launcher of short-range Iskander missile during the Victory Day military parade in downtown Moscow, 29 Apr 2008 |
The officials called the reports "premature. " They said Russia has not taken any practical steps to deploy the short-range Iskander missiles and therefore one can not speak of a suspension.
Russia: move is response to President Obama's new attitude
Russia's Interfax news agency earlier quoted an unnamed officer of Russia's military general staff as announcing the suspension. The official said it was a response to the attitude of new U.S. President Barack Obama. He said the new U.S. administration is not rushing forward with plans to deploy a U.S. missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said in November that Russia would deploy missiles in Kaliningrad in response to the planned U.S. missile shield.
U.S. officials say the proposal to place 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and radar guidance in the Czech Republic is aimed at protecting European allies against missile threats from countries such as Iran.
Russia calls the plan a threat to its security.
Some information for this report was provided by AP
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