Russia warns Norway of consequences over deployment of NATO anti-missile systems in its territory
The Ambassador of Russia to Norway, Teimuraz Ramishvili, stated that the deployment of NATO anti-missile systems in Norwegian territory would be followed by a response from Russia. "Our response will follow, directed not only at Norway but at the entire NATO", said Ramishvil to Norwegian Dagbladet newspaper.
Previously, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the deployment of the US Aegis Ashore anti-missile systems in the countries of Eastern Europe is a “flagrant violation by Washington of its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty”. The statement of the Russian MFA was released in connection with the publication of the U.S. State Department’s report on compliance by states with agreements in the field of arms control and non-proliferation.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that, in deploying anti-ballistic missile systems, the United States should be guided by the principle of inadmissibility of strengthening its security at the expense of other countries.
It was previously reported that the United States believes that Russia has secretly deployed a division of ground-to-surface ground-based cruise missiles, thereby violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
According to sources, Russia currently has two divisions of such missiles: one of them is based in the Kapustin Yar test site.
Last autumn, the United States accused Russia of violating the same treaty and for the first time in 16 years demanded the convening of a Special Verification Commission.
It was then reported that Moscow had advanced enough in the development of a new medium-range missile, that it could soon put it into service.