[Remember clear back into GWB the US ballistic missile shield project in the Stans/Poland? Then into Obama's first term him being caught on hot mic telling Russia to hang on and when he gets elected he'll have more ability to pull back on some of the rhetoric? Remember this whole time the project was "not aimed at Russia" but only toward Iran? But when Russia asked for that in writing, we just couldn't do it? Well....]

Moscow will offer an adequate response if it feels that the Russian nuclear deterrent is threatened by the US plans to deploy elements of its missile defense system near Russian borders, a Russian deputy defense minister said Wednesday. Washington has officially stated on numerous occasions that its missile shield is aimed at defending the allies from emerging threats, such as Iran and North Korea, and is not directed against Russia. Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said that certain European states have "already forgotten their previous syrupy assurances" and describe the missile shield as "a military counterweight to Russia's growing "expansionist" policy."

"It all confirms our previous estimates that the missile shield in Europe, within the context of its current plans, is aimed at undermining Russia's nuclear deterrent," the defense official said.

"We also noted that certain NATO members intend to deploy the alliance's huge military potential near Russia's borders, which is absolutely against our agreements with NATO," he continued.

Antonov said that Russia would "closely monitor" any changes in the alliance's policies on nuclear and missile issues."We will act accurately and precisely, and avoid emotions," he said.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy Elaine Bunn said last week the Pentagon has halted all talks with Russia concerning its anti-missile defense shield in Europe over the Ukrainian crisis.

In mid-December 2013, Russia confirmed that it had deployed tactical ballistic missiles near its borders with NATO member states. The deployment marked Moscow's response to NATO plans to place elements of the European missile shield close to Russian borders.

NATO opts for tough approach in ties with Moscow - Russian Defense Official

Decisions made by NATO last week show that supporters of "tough approach" in relations with Russia have won, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Wednesday. Foreign ministers of NATO member states, who met in Brussels on April 1-2, announced the alliance was freezing all practical aspects of its military cooperation with Russia. "The results of the meeting's showed that supporters of a tough approach to deter Russia, to portray our country as an enemy, a long-term opponent, have won in the alliance," he said.

He also said that NATO members were waging an "information war" to prevent normalization of ties between Russia and Ukraine, including by disseminating "horror stories" about Russian troops massing along the border with Ukraine.

"We see what NATO does in Ukraine to prevent the normalization of ties with us. Horror stories about Russian armed forces are being disseminated. A harsh and uncompromising information war is under way," the deputy foreign minister said.

Ties between Moscow and the West plunged to record lows in recent weeks surrounding disagreements over Crimea, which rejoined Russia last month after 60 years as part of Ukraine, RIA Novosti reports.

Certain NATO countries plan massive troops deployment near Russian borders - Russian defense ministry

The position of NATO hardliners seeking to restrain Russia has prevailed against the backdrop of the crisis in Ukraine, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said.

"Russia has taken note of the plans by certain members of the alliance to deploy large military contingents in their territories close to our borders," Antonov said at a conference titled "Modern aspects of international security" at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations on Wednesday.

"Serious changes are occurring in world politics," Antonov said. "The issues of trust, openness, and predictability remain at the center of attention among politicians and the military," the deputy minister said.

"Color revolutions are a new phenomenon in international life. Essentially, they a non-violent way to topple unwanted governments. As a result, there is chaos instead of the declared democracy and freedom," the senior defense official said.

"We are closely watching such attempts by our closest neighbors because they are aimed against Russia. We shall talk about them at an international conference in Moscow this May," Antonov said.

"Ukraine is the toughest example of such plans being implemented," he said.

"When the threat emerged to the life of people in Crimea and the assets of the Black Sea Fleet (BSF), the BSF forces stepped up security at Russian defense facilities," Antonov recalled.

"Russia has not breached any of its international obligations. Thanks to the high performance of the Russian troops, the bloodshed was prevented," he said.

As the Ukrainian crisis continues, "some in NATO have been more candid in their claims on missile defense," Antonov said.

"All this only confirmed our previous fears," the deputy minister said. "Horror stories are circulating about Russian armed forces and their numbers on the Ukrainian border," he said.

"A media war is going on without any rules," Antonov said.

"In this frenzy of propaganda, it is unlikely that someone would believe me. There are however verification procedures and we strictly honor all our obligations. Eight inspection groups have visited Russia recently, and the Ukrainian military did so twice. Seven of the eight were interested in the territories adjacent to Ukraine. Their conclusions as a result of the final briefings - the Russian Armed Forces are not conducting any undeclared activity which could undermine Ukrainian security," the deputy minister said.

"We shall watch closely any changes in NATO's nuclear policy and missile-defense plans. We shall not let them turn into threats to Russia's security," Antonov said.

Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_04_09/Russian-Defense-Ministry-v...