MOSCOW. Aug 26 (Interfax) - There is nothing at present to prevent intermediate- and shorter-range missiles from being deployed in Europe, yet Sweden hopes that will not happen, Swedish Ambassador to Russia Peter Ericson told Interfax in an interview.
"Hopefully, intermediate- and shorter-range missiles will not be deployed in Europe, although nothing is stopping it from happening," Ericson said.
Sweden regrets that the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty has been terminated, he said.
"We understand the stance of the United States, which is certain that Russia breached the treaty by designing the 9M729 missile. We also understand that a bilateral treaty cannot be complied with by only one side. Nonetheless, we regret that things have come to this," Ericson said.
As to whether Sweden is prepared to deploy such missiles in its territory, he said, "It is hypothetically possible to ask that question but I think it's hardly likely."