MOSCOW. July 16 (Interfax) - The deployment of universal launchers capable of firing intermediate-range missiles in Poland and Romania as part of the missile defense network poses a direct threat to Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said.
"The plans are being implemented, and a missile base armed with MK-41 launchers is due to open in the territory of Poland in 2021. That will break the balance even further and will create a direct threat to the interests of the Russian Federation, especially as the Americans tested ground-launched cruise missiles just two weeks after their withdrawal from the INF Treaty [the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]," Grushko said in an interview with Interfax.
The missile defense network is ready in Romania: "MK-41 launchers have been installed there, these are universal launchers that could fire various types of missiles," Grushko said.
"The same MK-41 launchers are installed on board U.S. ships armed with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. They can also load Tomahawks, i.e. intermediate-range missiles," he said.
"Naturally, all those factors are taken into account in the defense planning process," Grushko said.