Russia will take measures aimed at assuring the national security if Ukraine deploys elements of US ballistic missile defense systems in its territory, TASS reports with reference to Russian President’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov.

“If Ukraine wants to deploy elements of US ballistic missile defense systems in its territory, this will cause a negative reaction, because this move is posing a threat to the security of our country,” the Kremlin’s representative said, adding that he didn’t study the details of such statements made by Ukrainian representatives.

“This will force Russia to take countermeasures in order to assure its national security,” he noted. At that Peskov noted that these speculations are of eventual nature.

Earlier the Secretary of National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDCU), Alexander Turchinov, said that he leaves open the possibility of holding consultations related to installation of components of ballistic missile defense systems in the country’s territory in order “to protect the country from Russia nuclear threat”.

“We are reconstructing our nuclear shield without violating international agreements; its primary objective is to protect the country from Russia nuclear threat,” he said.  

Once again Turchinov accused Russia of deploying nuclear missiles in Crimea. He believes that in this situation “joint efforts of all the leading countries are required”. “This should be a combination of economic, political and military actions. In particular, we need to strengthen the common system, designed for protecting against nuclear threats, and deploy additional elements of ballistic missile defense systems,” the NSDCU secretary said.

Moreover, Turchinov urged the western countries to block the way through Bosporus for Russian vessels and disconnect Russia from SWIFT system.