“We know for sure that the global system of missile defense complexes are directed against Russia and China, though they tell us that they are being created against Iran and North Korea,” Patrushev told journalists.
Patrushev said that the West tells Russia there is no threat from NATO expansion to the east or from global missile defense systems.
“We’re told that there isn’t a threat, but how is it there is no threat when there is,” Patrushev added.
Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over the creation of an US-designed ballistic missile defense system in Europe, approved in 2010, during a NATO summit in Lisbon. A range of European countries, including Poland, Romania, Spain and Turkey, agreed to deploy elements of this system on their territories.
On April 6, the US Defense Department announced it would locate 60 percent of its military fleet to the Pacific-Indian Ocean area, including warships fitted with the Aegis ballistic missile defense system.
China specifically objected, saying the deployment of Aegis systems in the Pacific could jeopardize its strategic deterrent.
NATO claims the systems are aimed primarily at countering threats from North Korea and Iran.
