Russia may target US missile shield: Medvedev

Russia’s president threatened on Wednesday to deploy missiles to target the US missile shield in Europe if Washington fails to assuage Moscow’s concerns about its plans, a harsh warning that reflected deep cracks in US-Russian ties despite President Barack Obama’s efforts to “reset” relations with the Kremlin.Dmitry Medvedev said he still hopes for a deal with the US on missile defense, but he strongly accused Washington and its NATO allies of ignoring Russia’s worries. He said that Russia will have to take military countermeasures if the US continues to build the shield without legal guarantees that it will not be aimed against Russia.The US has repeatedly assured Russia that its proposed missile defense system wouldnt be directed against Russias nuclear forces, and it did that again Wednesday.“I do think it’s worth reiterating that the European missile defense system that we’ve been working very hard on with our allies and with Russia over the last few years is not aimed at Russia,” said Capt. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman.Medvedev warned that Russia will station missiles in its westernmost Kaliningrad region and other areas, if the US continues its plans without offering firm and specific pledges that the shield isnt directed at its nuclear forces. He didn’t say whether the missiles would carry conventional or nuclear warheads.US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that the missile defense shield does not pose a threat to Russia and the strategic balance between Washington and Moscow.In Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was “very disappointed” with Russias threat to deploy missiles near alliance nations, adding that “would be reminiscent of the past and ... inconsistent with the strategic relations NATO and Russia have agreed they seek.”“Cooperation, not confrontation, is the way ahead,” Rasmussen said in a statement.The US missile defense dispute has long tarnished ties between Moscow and Washington. The Obama administration has repeatedly said the shield is needed to fend off a potential threat from Iran, but Russia fears that it could erode the deterrent potential of its nuclear forces.