Ahead of talks with U.S. President Barack Obama next week, Medvedev gave a downbeat assessment of global security and international relations at the end of his four-year presidency, saying the "Euro-Atlantic" security community he had hoped to create remained a "myth".
Medvedev, who will be succeeded by Vladimir Putin in May, said Moscow was unconvinced by NATO`s argument that the planned missile defence shield was intended as protection against a missile attack by countries such as Iran.
"We have time (for an agreement) but it is running out, and I think that it would be in our mutual benefit to reach mutually acceptable agreements," Medvedev told a security conference.
"The main thing is that we must hear one simple thing - hear it and receive confirmation: `Respected friends from Russia, our missile defence is not aimed against Russian nuclear forces.` This must be affirmed, not in a friendly chat over a cup of tea or a glass of wine, but in a document."
NATO has offered Russia a role in the project to create an anti-ballistic shield which includes participation by Romania, Poland, Turkey and Spain.
But Moscow says it fears the system could weaken Russia by gaining the capability to shoot down the nuclear missiles it relies on as a deterrent. It wants a legally binding pledge from the United States that Russia`s nuclear forces would not be targeted by the system.
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
