MOSCOW. May 31 (Interfax) - Tuesday's test-launches of a strategic ballistic missile and an Iskander missile were a response to unilateral steps by the United States to deploy an anti-missile defense system in Europe and NATO member states' non-compliance with the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters after talks with his Greek counterpart on Thursday.

"One needn't be afraid of these actions on the part of Russia, they are not aggressive, they are just retaliation to the tough and absolutely unjustified unilateral steps by our partners," Putin said.