Lavrov calls “claptrap” Turchinov’s words on deploying ballistic missile defense systems in Ukraine

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called “claptrap” a statement of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Secretary Alexander Turchinov on possible deployment of the US ballistic missile defense systems in the Ukrainian territory.

The minister said he had not seen the statement. “I see no sense in reading such statements. They are futile, counterproductive and are nothing but a claptrap,” Lavrov told reporters.

Earlier, spokesman for the Russian president Dmitry Peskov said Russia would take action to protect itself, if Ukraine deploys US ballistic missile defense in its territory.

It is worth mentioning, Alexander Turchinov said in an interview to Ukrinform news agency: “Not violating international agreements, we are restoring are missile defense main task of which is to protect from Russia’s aggression.” He once again accused Moscow of deploying nuclear weapons in Crimea. In this situation, he believes, there was a need for “cooperation and complex coordination of all efforts of major world powers.”

“It should be a complex of economic, political and military actions. It should include as well significant strengthening of the whole system of nuclear-threat protection and deployment of additional missile defense systems,” he said. He also called the West to block Russian ships crossing the Bosporus and banning Russia from the Swift payment system.