A U.S. missile defence system that would be based partly in the Czech Republic is designed to counter missile threats from the Middle East, not Russia, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
Responding to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry that warned of a possible military response to the U.S. shield, the Pentagon also said the United States has made robust offers to collaborate with Moscow on the system.
"We have been very clear about what the missile defence system in Europe is for. It is not designed to counter a threat from Russia. We've been very clear about the emerging threat in the Middle East that we think could threaten not only the United States but our allies in Europe," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told Reuters.