The commander of NATO forces in Europe, US General Philip Breedlove, said Sunday that Romania has been under pressure since it has become part of the NATO missile shield, Reuters reports.
Asked during a debate in Brussels to comment the statements of the Russian ambassador in Denmark Michael Vanin who warned that the Danish warships could become targets for Russian nuclear missiles if the Scandinavian country contributed to NATO missile shield in Europe, General Breedlove said it was the 'next step' in a campaign against countries that joined the anti-missile system.
"Romania has been subjected to great pressure when it became part of the (missile defense). Poland is subjected to great pressure and now any country wishing to join the defense system will be subjected to political and diplomatic pressures" Breedlove said, without mentioning the name Russia.
The missile defense shield has long been a bone of contention between Russia and NATO, of which Denmark is part. Moscow believes that the scheme represents a threat to the strategic balance of the continent, while NATO has stated that it will provide protection against so-called pariah states.
Denmark announced in August that it planned to equip one of its frigates to join in the radar missile system.
Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard said that the Russian Ambassador Mikhail Vanin remarks were "unacceptable", adding that "Russia knows very well that NATO missile shield is defensive and not aimed against them."