Russia has warned that new US ballistic missile defense bases in northern Poland will increase overall nuclear risk. Moscow called it a provocative move in a statement on Thursday (November 21). But Poland says Moscow's “threat” reinforces the rationale for NATO's defense system. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
The air defense base, located in the town of Režikovo on the northern Baltic coast, is part of NATO's larger missile defense system. It was launched last November 13.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the move was “another clear provocative step in a series of deeply destabilizing strategic actions by the United States and its North Atlantic allies.”
He added, 'This undermines strategic stability, increases strategic risk and thereby increases the overall nuclear threat level.'
Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said the base does not house any nuclear missiles and is only for defense.
“This is a base for defensive purposes, not for offensive purposes,” he said.
But Zakharova added, 'Given the nature and threat level of such Western military installations, this missile defense base in Poland was long ago added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction. It can be destroyed with sophisticated weapons if necessary.'
NATO's missile defense system includes US Navy destroyers based in Poland, Romania and a naval base in Spain, and an early warning radar in Turkey, NATO said.
