Washington officially proposed January 20 placing a radar network in the Czech Republic, and two days later announced plans to begin formal talks with Poland on the deployment of anti-ballistic missile systems on its territory.
"Reasons that we heard [from the U.S.] do not convince us that it is an adequate response to real threats, which exist today in the sphere of nuclear and missiles proliferation," Sergei Lavrov said upon his return to Moscow from Washington, where he attended the meeting of the Quartet of Middle East mediators comprising the United Nations, Russia, the European Union and the United States.
The minister also said that the talks on the issue will be continued, adding that military experts of both countries were holding consultations in line with bilateral agreements to avoid any possible misunderstanding.
"This is a very important process and we want to continue with it," Lavrov said.
The U.S. has argued that defenses in Europe could intercept possible intercontinental ballistic missiles from 'rogue' regimes, such as Iran and North Korea.
But on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at an annual news conference with Russian and foreign journalists, televised live from the Kremlin, that Washington's arguments were not convincing and that Russia considered Washington's plans to be a threat to its national security.
He said that should the U.S. proceed with its intentions, Russia would respond decisively.
"We must think, and are thinking, of ways to ensure our national security," Putin said. "All our responses will be asymmetric but highly effective."
