US, NATO Have ‘No Plans’ to Place Missile Defense Systems in Ukraine
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Ukrainian National Security Service Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov said earlier on Wednesday that Ukraine may hold consultations to place missile defense systems on its territory to ensure security against nuclear threats.
“I don’t think we are exactly sure what they were referring to,” Harf said. “NATO ballistic missile defense plans are well-known. All existing and planned elements are on NATO territory.”
NATO’s missile defense is not directed against Russia, but against threats from the Middle East, Harf said.
“There is no offer or plan to place US or NATO ballistic missile defense systems in Ukraine.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that if Ukraine deployed elements of US missile defense systems on its territory, then Russia would need to respond in order to ensure its own security.