Russian official: Missile shield a threat

MOSCOW, May 20 (UPI) -- A U.S.-planned missile defense system in Europe is a "real threat" to Russia's nuclear deterrence capability, a Russian military leader said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Andrei Tretyak, head of the General Staff Main Operations Directorate, said the projected 400 interceptor missiles on 40 warships, plus a missile site in Poland, poses "a real threat to our strategic nuclear forces," RIA Novosti reported.

"The situation completely changes with the realization of the third and fourth stages of the missile defense," Tretyak said.

Moscow wants legally binding guarantees that the missile defense system would not be directed against Russia.

President Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday Russia would have to buttress its nuclear capability if NATO and the United States don't reach an agreement with Moscow on European missile defense cooperation.

Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama are expected address the missile defense issue next week at the Group of Eight summit in Deauville, France.