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Russian envoy warns of "serious conflict of interests" over US missile plans

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Berlin, March 31, IRNA
Germany-Russia-US Missiles
Russia's Ambassador to Germany Vladimir Kotenev warned of a "serious conflict of interests" following US plans to deploy 10 missile interceptors and a radar track system in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Writing for the Sunday daily Welt am Sonntag, Kotenev suspected behind-the-scenes efforts to damage the cooperation between Russia and the European Union.

"There are analysts who have serious concerns over Russia's strategic partnership with the European Union," he wrote.

Kotenev who warned earlier this month of a renewed arms race over the issue, voiced his country's readiness to hold talks with the US over its anti-missile defense system.

Russia views the stationing of American missiles as a direct threat to its national security.

German political leaders have warned of a growing split among European countries over the US anti-missile system, while lashing out at the Polish and Czech decision to engage in bilateral talks with the US over its missile project.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has repeatedly stressed that NATO was the proper forum to discuss the stationing of the anti-US missile batteries and radar track system in Poland and the Czech Republic.

She also called for further talks with Russia on the matter.

Warsaw and Prague view the American missile deployment as a national matter and not a European Union issue.

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