Azerbaijan, Baku, November 24 / Trend, E. Tariverdiyeva /
European war expert Beata Kviatek-Simanska stated the following: "I do not see any reason why comments of the Russian President Medvedev should be interpreted as a start of a new round of tensions over the missile defense system that may lead to an arms race. In fact, nothing did change: the US is still looking forward for cooperation with Russia, including cooperation on missile defense, and Russia continues to be suspicious and asks questions about the missile plans in Europe. The friendly position of the US towards Russia was recently confirmed again by the US administration officials.
Moreover, also Russian President admitted in his comment that American officials, when asked to assuage Russia's concerns, continuously repeat that these plans are not directed against Russia and that there is no point for Russia to be concerned. At the same time, Russia never stopped questioning the missile defense plans in Europe, although there was some still period after some changes in the plans were announced. However, these changes were never the result of Russia's pressure, but a respond to a need to adjust to technological changes and financial reality.
At the same time, Russia's desire to be fully informed about a missile shield in Europe and its disappointment that it does not get such information, which is notable in the recent comment by Medvedev, is fully understandable. Every country would like to know the secret defense plans of the others whatever a reason it has.
That might be genuine concerns about country's own security, but it can be just a political interest for a political game the country wants to play, because possession of such information increases the power of the state.
Thus, any reasoning, like the one provided by Russia, is good to get such secret information. However, everybody will agree that defense plans are very sensitive information. Thus, it is not surprising that the US and its allies do not want to share the information about the defense plans, especially, having in mind the current terrorism risks.
Thus, I would say that a recent Medvedev's comment is nothing more than just a note of a personal disappointment, which will not lead to any serious changes in a strong relationship between the two cooperating countries".