The boosting of of a US missile defense potential in Asia and the Pacific undermines the existing Global security balance, the Russian Foreign Ministry said after US announced it intends to place missile defense system in South Korea.
"From the very beginning of the discussion of this issue, we have consistently and invariably pointed at the most dangerous consequences of such a decision and call on our partners not to make this wrong choice. Unfortunately, our calls have remained unheard."
Russian diplomats noted that the increase in the Asia-Pacific segment of the global missile defense system by the US and its allies would undermine the existing strategic balance both in the region and beyond.
"Such actions, regardless of the argument they are backed with, have the most negative effect on global strategic stability, the adherence to which is such a favorably topic of discussion in Washington."
The ministry also warns that the US steps threaten to increase regional tensions and create additional barriers to peaceful settlement between the North and South Korea and nuclear disarmament in the Korea peninsula.
The Russian diplomats concluded by expressing hope that the US and South Korea would once again consider all factors behind the decision and abstain from potentially dangerous action.
Earlier on Friday, the South Korean ministry of Defense announced that Seoul and Washington had reached an agreement to pit a high-tech THAAD missile defense system in South Korea amid growing nuclear and missile treat from North Korea. According to Yonhap news agency, the system is expected to be in operation by the of 2017.
THAAD- Terminal High Altitude Area Defense- is an advanced system designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate range ballistic missile during their terminal phase of flight. Equipped with a long rage radar, THAAD is believed to be capable of intercepting Pyongyang's intermediate-range ballistic missile.
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