President Dmitry Medvedev has appointed Russia's ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin chief missile defense negotiator with the military alliance.
A 47-year-old diplomat and politician, Rogozin became Russia's envoy to NATO in 2008. He also came to prominence as the leader of the controversial nationalist Rodina (Motherland) party.
Moscow insists on setting up a joint European missile defense network with NATO, while the alliance favors two separate systems that would exchange information. The sides have agreed to formulate terms for missile defense cooperation by June 2011.
SOCHI, February 18 (RIA Novosti)
