NATO Missile Defense Not Targeted at Russia: Senior US Official

The NATO ballistic missile defense system is not targeted at Russia and aims to improve regional stability, a senior US arms control official said.

"Limited ballistic missile defense capabilities are not capable of threatening Russia's strategic nuclear forces and are not a threat to strategic stability," Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller said Tuesday during a speech in Romania, where a missile defense site will be completed in 2015.

Gottemoeller pointed out the limited scope of the missile defense system, which US officials say is aimed at defending US allies against a limited number of ballistic missile strikes from rogue groups or states such as Iran and North Korea, would have no impact on Russia.

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