Russia Warns Poland, Czech Republic on Missile Defense

WASHINGTON — The Czech Republic and Poland on February 19 voiced willingness to host parts of a U.S. missile-defense system on their territories — prompting a warning from a top Russian military official.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek made the announcement in Warsaw following talks with his Polish counterpart Jaroslaw Kaczynski.

“Both of our countries are now preparing a response to the U.S. proposal,” Topolanek said. “We have agreed that both countries are likely to give a positive response, and then we will begin negotiations.”

The project, unveiled by Washington last month, calls for a radar station to be deployed in the Czech Republic and missiles in Poland by 2012.

Both Prague and Warsaw had previously expressed interest in the U.S. proposal. But the February 19 statement offered the clearest indication of agreement so far.

The two prime ministers reiterated that the system, which the United States says is intended to intercept potential attacks from “rogue” states, is not aimed at Russia.

But their assurances did little to soothe Moscow, which has vehemently objected to having the shield on its doorstep.

Nikolai Solovtsov, the commander of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said on February 19 that Russia may withdraw from a 1987 treaty with the United States limiting short- and medium-range missiles in Europe if the U.S. plan goes ahead.

Solovtsov also warned that hosting the U.S. shield could make the Czech Republic and Poland targets of a Russian missile strike.

“If there is a political decision [made by Russia] to withdraw from [the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty] that was signed between the United States and Russia, the Strategic Missile Forces will be capable of carrying out this task [targeting sites in the Czech Republic and Poland],” Solovtsov said.

This was one of the toughest comments yet by Russian officials on the issue since President Vladimir Putin warned of a “new Cold War” in a speech in Munich two weeks ago.

NATO dismissed Solovtsov’s remarks as “extreme language” and said they were “uncalled for.”