MOSCOW, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- A Russian diplomat said Wednesday his country is preparing to retaliate against the U.S. deployment of a missile shield, but is open to negotiations.
"Quite possibly, we'll combine the retaliatory steps with the continuation of talks, and the final say in deciding on it belongs to the (Russian) president," said Russian Ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, the Information Telegraph of Russia reported.
Rogozin pointed out that Russia and the United States previously agreed to settle differences surrounding the anti-ballistic missile system -- based in eastern Europe -- before the May NATO summit in Chicago. Russia's participation in the summit could be threatened by the incident, the report said.
"A decision on whether or not to take part in it will be made by the next President, whom the Russians will elect in March 2012," Rogozin said.
