Russia Piles up Pressure on Bulgaria over Missile Shield

Russia has demanded once again that Bulgaria explains in detail its planned involvement in a new US missile defence system in Europe which came as an unwelcome surprise to Moscow.

"We are waiting for detailed explanations," Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu commented in Belgrade, echoing the words of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov from over the weekend.

Shoigu denied reports that Russia wants to deploy a military base in Nic, saying this is a regional center for responding to emergency situations.

"This is a complete nonsense, which can't even be called a speculation,” the minister commented, adding that the center will be used only by the countries in the region at times of emergencies and disasters and will be operated by experts, who want to help, and not to wage wars.

Shoigu's comments come days after Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said he supports plans for taking part in a new US missile defence system in Europe.

James Warlick, the U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria, said earlier in the week that the United States was holding informal talks with the Balkan country on hosting elements of a U.S. missile shield on its soil.

Warlick played down Russian fears about the system by reiterating President Barack Obama's statement that America wanted "a strong, peaceful, and prosperous Russia."

"The United States will not ask the Bulgarian government or people to choose between Moscow and Washington," he added.

Neighboring Romania announced almost two weeks ago that it would host interceptor missiles as part of a U.S. missile defense system on its soil.

A US State Department official said earlier the facilities in Romania are to become operational by 2015 and are designed as protection against "current and emerging ballistic missile threats from Iran."

The planned deployment in Bulgaria and Romania comes after US President Barack Obama scrapped plans for a radar and interceptor missiles in the Czech Republic and Poland, which Russia fiercely opposed as a national security threat and a blow on its nuclear deterrent.

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