MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Williams reiterated that the European missile shield was not directed against Russia and would not undermine Russia's strategic deterrence capabilities.
"Russian threats to target Allies because of their support for ballistic missile defense are unacceptable, unjustified and irresponsible," Williams said in a written statement obtained by RIA Novosti.
Mikhail Ulyanov, director of the Russian foreign Ministry's department for non-proliferation and arms control, said earlier on Wednesday that the upcoming deployment of US missile defense systems at military bases in Romania and Poland would undermine strategic stability in Europe.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Sweden's Dagens Nyheter newspaper in April that Russia will take appropriate military-technical measures at its northern borders if Sweden decides to join NATO.
