Russia Warns Lithuania Against U.S. Missile Agreement
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MOSCOW — Russian lawmakers warned Lithuania against agreeing to place American missile defense sites in the Baltic country, saying yesterday that such a move could trigger a Russian military buildup in the region.
Russia could deploy more troops to its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad if Lithuania offers its soil for the deployment of American missile interceptors, a statement approved unanimously by the Kremlin-controlled lower house, the State Duma, said.
Prime Minister Kirkilas of Lithuania was in Washington yesterday for talks with Secretary of State Rice. A State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, said he did not know if the two were discussing the possibility of placing missile-defense components in the former Soviet country on Russia’s northern border.
But on Tuesday, the Pentagon had said Lithuania would be a “good alternative” to Poland if negotiations with Warsaw collapse. Poland has demanded increased American military aid in exchange for approving the deal.
Russia is fiercely against the U.S. plans to deploy components of a missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, saying the move would undermine its nuclear deterrent.
