Thursday, December 1, 2011

Russia May Skip NATO Summit Because Of Missile Defense

Russia May Drop NATO Summit Over Missile Defense -- RT

Russia is uncertain as to whether or not it will take part in the NATO-Russia summit in Chicago in May next year due to a deadlock in missile defense talks.

Moscow’s consent for the gathering “should not be taken as predetermined,” said Deputy Director of the Department for Security and Disarmament of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Leontyev, cites Itar-Tass. The diplomat stressed though that Russia is not closing the door on co-operation.

“Our partners should view current problems fairly and responsibly," Leontyev said. “Otherwise, Russia will have to give adequate responses as the US missile defense system is being created in Europe.”

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Update: Russia Could Cancel Summit With NATO Due to Antimissile Impasse -- Global Security Newswire

My Comment: What is also adding more stress to this relationship is the Russian Parliamentary and Presidential elections. With Putin and Medvedev facing a tough re-election campaign, I now expect them to play the NATO 'boogeyman" scenario more often in order to stir up their base who are not sympathetic to the West.

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