Lavrov says Russia's view on Romania and Deveselu remains classified
Russian Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov told reporters that whether Romania and the Deveselu missile-defence site are still on Russia’s target list is a secret.
During a press briefing at the United Nations in New York, Russian Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov was questioned by a Romanian reporter about the status of Romania and the Aegis Ashore missile-defence facility at Deveselu as potential Russian targets, referencing President Vladimir Putin’s 2016 statement. Lavrov responded in Russian that the matter is “a secret” and gave a brief smile. The Deveselu site, operational since May 2016, is part of NATO’s defensive shield against ballistic missiles, a system Moscow has repeatedly alleged could be used offensively because of its Mk 41 launchers.
NATO maintains the installation is strictly defensive and integrated with other European Aegis Ashore sites in Poland, as well as naval assets in Spain and an early-warning radar in Turkey. The exchange underscores continuing friction between Moscow and the alliance over the strategic balance in Eastern Europe.
Why it matters
It highlights ongoing Russia-NATO tensions over missile-defence deployments in Eastern Europe.
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