Time running out for missile defense talks: Russia

MOSCOW - Time is running out for finding a common language between Russia and the US over their missile defense disputes, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday.

"As the United States' plans to create a missile defense system are getting real shape on the ground, the time for finding a compromise is running out," Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told reporters.

"We are certain that a long-sighted and transparent policy aimed at developing equal and mutual-respected relations would meet the interest of security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic space," Lukashevich said.

The spokesman urged "Russia's partners" in the Russia-NATO Council to choose in favor of such a policy. He stressed that Moscow "is ready to continue the dialogue" over the missile defense issues.

Meanwhile, Lukashevich said that Russia welcomes the NATO summit's political declaration that promises the US-led NATO missile defense shield in Europe is not targeting Russia, but insisted on legally binding guarantees.

"We see the Chicago summit assurances....as a step in the right direction, but such political statements cannot serve as a foundation for cooperation....Legal guarantees....are essential to us," Lukashevich said.

Moscow has long opposed the deployment of US missile defense facilities near its borders and called for legally binding guarantees from the United States and NATO that the missile shield is not targeting Russia.