Context
In order to calm Russia’s concerns, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, during his official trip to Moscow, said that US anti-missile defense system wasn’t intended for the former Soviet Union. Gates further said that America is ready to offer assurance to Moscow that the AMD was never directed at them, but acknowledged that he couldn’t make any legally binding promises on AMD. Meanwhile, he also thanked Moscow for providing passage to coalition forces and their supplies to Afghanistan through its territory.
Russia had abstained from voting on the UNSC resolution 1973, enforcing no-fly zone over Libya. Prime Minister Putin commented on Monday, calling the UN resolution “a call for a crusade.”
