WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Baker, who served under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1991, noted that the relationship between the United States and Russia "was the best it has ever been… at the end of the Cold War" during his tenure.
"We have worked out a lot more difficult items when I was Secretary of State," Baker said when asked about the current US-Russia disagreements over missile defense systems in Europe. "I think that ultimately we will work them out."
"For fifteen years thereafter, Russia and the United States really worked closely together," Baker added.
This week, Russia has renewed its strong opposition to the US ballistic missile defense (BMD) system coming online in Romania, arguing it is a threat to Russian and regional security.
"Guess what the United States is upset about? Barrel rolls around our aircraft when they’re patrolling," Baker exclaimed when asked about Russian objections to the BMD system.
In late April, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted a US RC-135 performing aerial reconnaissance near the Baltic Sea. The Pentagon condemned the action as unprofessional, while the Russian Defense Ministry defended its pilots as operating in accordance with international regulations.
The Russian air intercept followed only weeks after two Russian Su-24 jets performed a training exercise in close proximity to US Navy destroyer Donald Cook in the Baltic Sea. Moscow later claimed the incident was legitimate and took place at a safe distance from the vessel.
