NATO must reassure Russia on missile shield-Germany

Berlin, Feb 15: NATO must do more to reassure Russia over a planned US missile shield to be built in Poland and the Czech Republic, Germany's Defence Minister said.

Washington says the defence system, which it plans to set up in former communist eastern Europe, would counter a long-range missile threat from Iran.

But Russia opposes the move, with its top officials questioning its military logic and suggesting it puts Moscow under political and military pressure.

''The Russians feel (the missile shield) is a threat and we within NATO must dispel such ideas,'' Franz Josef Jung told a group of foreign journalists yesterday.

He said Germany supported the idea of the defence system but that a closer dialogue between the US-led NATO military alliance and Russia was needed.

''NATO must be included in the process and we must make sure we have a dialogue so that the Russians are not so worried,'' added Jung.

Differences over the defence system have added to growing tensions between the two former Cold War superpowers.

At the weekend, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of imposing its will on the world by pursuing unilateral policies which cause conflict and bloodshed.

Reuters

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