Russian Defense Minister: Moscow Expects Concrete Missile Shield Proposals From Washington

The missile shield is still an open question between Russia and the United States and it's still "in the advanced discussion stage", Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters in the Kremlin Wednesday, RIA Novosti reported. Ivanov said Moscow "is waiting for concrete proposals" from Washington. Commenting on the strategic offensive weapons reduction plans, he pointed out that "the parameters have been clarified, but control and verification are still an open question". "This is all about whether it's a real reduction or a cosmetic one when warheads are dismounted from the delivery vehicles, but they're not destroyed, but placed nearby," the Minister was quoted as saying.