MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax) - Russia will not cooperate with NATO on setting up a European missile defense system until it receives legally-binding guarantees that this system will not be targeted against it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"We are continuing consultations and will be continuing these consultations, but I don't see any chance for any joint actions until it is clearly stipulated in legally-binding terms that this is not targeted against us," Lavrov said in an interview with the radio stations Echo Moskvy, the Voice of Russia, and Radio Rossii on Friday.
Those in NATO who oppose cooperation with Russia on missile defense may miss the chance to get rid of the Cold War legacy forever, he said.
"The nearsightedness of those who reject this proposal [on setting up a sectoral missile defense system by Russia and NATO] is historical nearsightedness. Many might regret this later not because there will be war […] but because the chance might be missed to overcome the Cold War legacy absolutely and irreversibly," he said.