US Missile Shield In Romania Switched On
A U.S. missile shield in Romania, which the West sees as vital to protecting Europe from potential Iranian ballistic missile threats, becomes operational Thursday. The move, however, has angered Russia, which called it a threat to the country’s security.
The $800 million missile defense system, stationed at the remote Deveselu air base in Romania, is capable of fending off missile threats from countries like Iran that Washington believes could be a cause of serious concern for major European cities. While U.S. officials said the Romanian missile shield was not aimed at Russia, the Kremlin has expressed concerns over the establishment, and said the government had taken measures to ensure the nations’ safety.
“This is a direct threat to us,” Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov, chairman of the State Duma’s defense committee, reportedly told the Interfax news agency. “They are moving to the firing line. This is not just 100; it's 200, 300, 1,000 percent aimed against us. This is not about Iran, but about Russia with its nuclear capabilities.”