News / Brèves Back to previous selection / Retour à la sélection précédente Skepticism in Russia About Hagel’s Remarks 19 March 2013 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov © RIA Novosti. Andrei Stenin (EIRNS)—Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview published in the Kommersant daily yesterday that there was no connection between Russia’s objections to the deployment of a U.S. missile defence system in Europe and Hagel’s announcement. "That is not a concession to Russia, nor do we regard it as such," Ryabkov said, adding that "all aspects of strategic uncertainty related to the creation of a U.S. and NATO missile defence system remain. Therefore, our objections also remain." Even a curtailed European missile defence system poses a threat to Russia’s nuclear capability, he said, adding that the Foreign Ministry sees no grounds for reviewing its official position. Moscow will continue to press for the signing of "legally binding agreements guaranteeing that U.S. missile defence elements are not aimed against Russia’s strategic nuclear forces," he said. (RAP)