Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko

A senior Russian diplomat stated that Moscow is ready for any scenario in relation to the potential deployment of medium-range and short-range missiles in Europe by the United States.

Iran Press/Europe: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Tuesday Moscow is keeping an eye on Washington’s development of its cruise missile program, which causes serious concern for the Russian government.

According to Tass news agency, the Russian diplomat added: "We see that the United States is developing a program for the production of cruise missiles with the use of MK-41 launching systems."

"We are seriously concerned over it because these are universal systems and one such system has already been tested. By now, 24 such systems have been deployed in Romania and another 48 will be deployed in Poland next year," he added.

He stated that Russia is ready for the appropriate response through various scenarios, and he hoped that those countries which are not willing to deploy American intermediate- and smaller-range missiles on their territories will support Russia’s moratorium initiative instead.

Grushko underscored that this is very important for Moscow. Taking into account the geographical factor, any medium- and shorter-range missiles deployed by the US are strategic for Russia, he noted. "That decreases the time required for making decisions and is a substantial destabilizing factor not only for regional security but also for strategic stability in general.101/219

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