If NATO deploys its shield regardless of Russia’s interests, relations will harden, Gaidz Minasyan, Associate researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research, said in the course of internet conference.

He stressed the issue of missile defense is crucial for future relations between NATO and Russia.

Relations between Russia and NATO are largely dependent relations between the U.S. and Russia, and in another position between Germany, Great Britain, France on one side and Russia on the another, he added. According to him, Brussels does not want to be a fait accompli as in 2008.

“NATO continues to say that the accession of Georgia to the agenda, but she knows very well that this will not happen in the current tense relations between Russia and Georgia. Finally, we must not underestimate the political side of this bilateral relationship (NATO-Russia). In 2012, the United States, Russia and France will hold presidential elections. The color of the winner in all three countries depends on the nature of relationships,” Minasyan noted.