Potential U.S. missile deployment in Japan would pose threat to Russian security: spokesperson

MOSCOW, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The deployment of U.S. medium-range missiles in Japan would pose a threat to Russia's security, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

Zakharova noted that Russia has repeatedly warned the Japanese side of such cooperation, adding that, in response, Russia would be forced to "take the necessary appropriate steps to strengthen its own defense capabilities."

The spokesperson also referred to Russia's updated nuclear deterrence doctrine to understand the potential actions Moscow might take.

Previously, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said Russia is considering possibly deploying medium-range and short-range missiles in Asia if U.S. missiles appear in the same region. ■