Confrontation on Europe’s anti-missile “shield”
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Author: By Irakli Aladashvili
The U.S. naval vessel Monterrey is now stationed in the Black Sea. The vessel is equipped with an assortment of defense capabilities, as well as the controversial Aegis radar system. What is it doing in Georgian territorial waters and how will its presence affect Georgia’s security?
During the July 4 meeting in Sochi between NATO and Russia, it is very likely that President Medvedev will demand that the North-Atlantic Alliance agree with Moscow on the terms surrounding the deployment of the anti-missile defense system in Europe. In fact, Dmitry Rogozin- Russia’s permanent representative to NATO- was stating this even before the start of the meeting.
In case of the non-fulfillment of this ultimatum, Russia would then threaten Europe by creating its own air-space defense system, increase its armaments on the borders with the North-Atlantic Alliance member states and, most importantly, withdraw from the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT) .
After the meeting, no official information was revealed on whether Medvedev truly set the ultimatum to Rasmussen. However, open statements and comments made by Rogozin and other Russian politicians and generals clearly indicate the mood of the Kremlin.
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