Undersecretary of State for Arms Control Ellen Tauscher told a Washington forum on October 18 that the US must continue its efforts to cooperate with Russia on missile defense.

She said this includes a chance to share more technical information with the Russians and show them what the system can and cannot do.

Moscow has objected to US and NATO plans to build a land and sea-based missile defence system in Europe to counter possible threats from Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Kremlin says it would undermine Russian security and could set off a new arms race in Europe.

Tauscher said while the US is willing to put the guarantee to Russia in writing, it will not sign any legally binding commitments that would limit missile defence. It is important for defence to keep pace with the ‘evolution of the threat’, she said.

VOA