MOSCOW. Nov 9 (Interfax) - Russia will not locate Iskander missile systems in Kaliningrad region, if the United States reverses the plan to deploy elements of its missile shield in Eastern Europe, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said.

"There is one very important moment. These measures (the proposed location of Iskander missile system in Kaliningrad region) will be taken only if a U.S. missile shield is deployed. If the United States does not install the missile defense system, precaution measures on the Russian side will become unnecessary," Grushko said in an interview with Interfax on Sunday.

"In matters of strategic security and stability, everything must be based on a balance, on equilibrium, as everyone knows," the diplomat said in comments on the European Union's worries about Russia's plans to locate Iskander missile systems in Kaliningrad region.

"So, none of Russia's European partners should pretend they are surprised by its precaution moves connected with the U.S. missile shield plans. The U.S. plans undermine Russia's strategic potential, which is the nucleus of global stability," he said.

"There is no ace up our sleeve. On the contrary, we've been saying all along, that we'll take appropriate measures. These measures have now been announced," he said.

"We don't want our military plans to be a secret for anyone. Perhaps, it's not too bad after all, that the European Union is making its point clear on this issue - we've been urging Europe for a long time to speak its mind clearly on the U.S. plans to locate anti-missile systems in Europe. Unfortunately, the European Union has been dodging this issue until recently. At least, in contacts with us," said Grushko.