US, avoid stupidity - Moscow on THAAD to Ukraine
Amid reports that the United States will be sending THAAD missile systems to Ukraine, Russia and China warn against such moves.
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A THAAD interceptor is launched from the Reagan Test Site, the Marshall Islands, on August 30, 2019
Russia calls on the United States to avoid stupidity and not deteriorate the situation further, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said Wednesday, upon discussing reports over Washington potentially delivering THAAD systems to Ukraine.
"We still call on our American colleagues, with whom we are in dialogue at various levels, including the highest level, not to do stupid things, to behave prudently, not to use the situation to lead it further and further into a dead end, from which it will be difficult to find a way out," Pankin told a round table at the Valdai forum.
Russia will use further diplomatic methods on its part, Pankin added, as the United States aims to bolster its presence in Ukraine and all over Europe in light of rising tensions between NATO and Moscow over Ukraine.
China: THAAD missiles to Ukraine decrease chances of political solution
China on Wednesday called on the parties in the Western conflict with Russia over Ukraine to refrain from actions that would exacerbate differences, the nation's top diplomat Zhao Lijian said Tuesday, commenting on reports about the possible deployment of THAAD systems in Ukraine.
"We have seen the relevant report and hope that all parties will remain calm and restrained and refrain from actions that exacerbate conflicts and stimulate tension," Zhao told a briefing.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Monday refused to comment on these reports, as well as ones about Kyiv requesting the United States to place THAAD systems on its territory. However, Ukraine has several times denied the western fearmongering attempts.
THAAD is a go-to for the United States when it comes to arms deals, as Washington sold it to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over the past few months.
"I can't speak to moves that haven't been announced, that are hypothetical, that may not come to pass," Price told a press briefing.
THAAD has been designed to intercept ballistic missiles, in particular outside the atmosphere in their terminal phase.
The operational range of the system totals 200 kilometers (124 miles). The system also utilizes an AN/TPY-2 radar, capable of detecting and tracking missiles at ranges of 870 to 3,000 km.
