President Trump says he has no problem with North Korea testing short range missiles
Russia said on Monday it would take measures to defend itself if the United States stationed missiles in Asia following the collapse of a landmark arms control treaty, and that it expected Japan to deploy a new US missile launch system.
US defence secretary Mark Esper said on Saturday that he was in favour of placing ground-launched, intermediate-range missiles in Asia relatively soon.
Asked about the possible American missile deployment, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, said the Kremlin did not plan to get sucked into an arms race with Washington, but that it would respond defensively to any threats.
“If the deployment of new US systems begins specifically in Asia then the corresponding steps to balance these actions will be taken by us in the direction of parrying these threats,” Mr Ryabkov told a news conference.
Race to Space: US and Soviet Union's Cold War rivalry
Show all 8
He said Moscow expected Tokyo to soon station the US MK-41 missile-launching system in Japan.
“The universal MK-41 launch system that will appear, it seems, in Japan can also be adapted to be used to launch medium-range cruise missiles ... So these new systems when they appear in Japan will without doubt also be taken into account during our corresponding planning,” he said.
Reuters
Register for free to continue reading
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
Join our new commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies