Russia concerned about missile encirclement

Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov says Moscow is concerned over the growing numbers of foreign missiles around Russia's borders. Meanwhile, Poland, a possible site for the base, begins official negotiations with the U.S.

“The current state is not easy at all,” Mr Ivanov noted. “There is an urgent issue over the speed of the spread of technology for the creation of short and average range missiles. We are concerned to see this situation developing along our boarders. Moreover, we do not have any valid international agreements in this field so far”.

Russia has been a vocal critic of the U.S. plan to place missile defence bases in Eastern Europe.

The Czech Republic, which is, like Poland, also a candidate to host a missile shield, says it may let Russian experts examine the deployment territories.