MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. A statement by the United States and 40 other countries calling for 24-hour advance notice before missile launches makes it clear that they are preparing for a potential major war, Alexander Stepanov, military expert with the Institute of Law and National Security at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, said.

Earlier, the United States and 40 other countries issued a joint statement, published on the website of the US mission to the UN Office in Geneva, calling on all relevant countries to provide at least 24 hours’ advance notice of launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and space launch vehicles (SLVs). "Notifications should include such information as the generic class of the ballistic missile or SLV, the planned launch notification window, the launch area, and the planned direction," the document reads. In addition, "countries should also provide clear notices for airmen and mariners consistent with international standards to reduce risk, including in expected impact or landing areas."

The expert pointed out that, of the 41 countries, only the US, France and Britain possessed ICBM technology. The other countries’ position is not effectively backed by military capabilities that would allow them to set conditions or make demands.

"This is a message to the countries that possess such technologies, primarily Russia and our allies, China and North Korea. This is nothing but the next stage of preparations for a potential large-scale global conflict, creating conditions for our opponents to improve their situational awareness of key directions and the potential deployment of control and interception systems," Stepanov said.

He added that such public calls would lead nowhere unless they were backed by legally binding measures and reciprocal guarantees from "our key opponents.".