The possible deployment of Russian missiles near Alliance nations, in response to the missile defense system created by Washington in Europe, is "very disappointing", bemoaned NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Wednesday.

Rasmussen, however, welcomed "President Medvedev’s willingness not to close the door on continued dialogue with NATO and the U.S. on missile defence," reads a statement released by the Alliance.

This statement came on the heels of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s threat to deploy in western and southern Russia modern offensive systems which would ensure the destruction of European missile defense facilities should the U.S. continue its deployment.

Source: Ria Novosti, 24 November 2011.