SKOLKOVO, Moscow region. May 18 (Interfax) - Russia and NATO should reach an agreement on missile defense; otherwise the situation could develop in a negative way, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said.
"There are new subjects on which I think we have to reach an agreement, for otherwise things will develop in a bad way - I mean missile defense," Medvedev said at a press conference on Wednesday.
Russia would like European missile defense to develop in line with some clear and understandable rules. "It should be obvious to everyone that a missile defense system is a method of blocking or neutralizing strategic capabilities of a number of countries," he said.
When Medvedev hears that a missile defense system is not targeted against Russia, he takes note of this but also understands that "other countries do not possess such potential as Russia does and are unlikely to possess it in the coming years."
"We usually hear: this is about Iran or somebody else. But they don't have such resources - then does it mean it is against us?" he said.
In this situation, the NATO countries should either openly declare their position or invite Russia for cooperation, he said.
Medvedev hopes that Russia will receive answers to its questions on this issue and that the parties will be able to eventually work out a cooperation plan.