Russia knows everything about US missile shield in Europe

MOSCOW -- Russia knows everything about the composition of the US missile shield in Europe, the country's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said here Friday.

"We have technical data about the number of interceptors, the set of launch-tracking tools and warning radars, the new platforms such as ground-based launchers and additional cruisers and destroyers," he told reporters.

The senior diplomat said there is still time for Russia and the United States to reach an agreement over the missile defense system, but a deadline is fast approaching.

Such an agreement should be reached before Washington starts the third phase of the missile shield deployment, Ryabkov said.

NATO announced at the Chicago summit in May that the first phase of the missile shield in Europe has become operational. The system is expected to be completed by 2020 in four phases.

Ryabkov reiterated Moscow's insistence on a legally binding pledge that the system would not target Russia.

"Otherwise, they will face so-called compensatory measures from us, and everyone knows them," Ryabkov warned.

At the 2010 NATO summit in Lisbon, Portugal, leaders agreed to install a ballistic missile defense system in Europe, and the alliance invited Russia to participate in the scheme.

Moscow has always opposed the deployment of U.S.-led European missile defense facilities near its borders and has called for legally binding guarantees from the United States and NATO that the missile shield will not target Russia.