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Nato condemns Putin missile vow Nato condemns Putin missile vow
(about 2 hours later)
Russia's threat to aim weapons at Europe if the US sets up a missile defence shield there was "unhelpful and unwelcome", Nato has said.Russia's threat to aim weapons at Europe if the US sets up a missile defence shield there was "unhelpful and unwelcome", Nato has said.
The US says it wants missile defence in eastern Europe to counter threats from states like Iran and North Korea.The US says it wants missile defence in eastern Europe to counter threats from states like Iran and North Korea.
On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Iran was not a threat to the US, hinting that Russia was the target.On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Iran was not a threat to the US, hinting that Russia was the target.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will have "frank" talks with Mr Putin this week about the threat.French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will have "frank" talks with Mr Putin this week about the threat.
'Stormy summit''Stormy summit'
Washington wants to deploy interceptor rockets in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic to counter what it describes as a potential threat from "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea.Washington wants to deploy interceptor rockets in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic to counter what it describes as a potential threat from "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea.
It insists the shield is not aimed at Russia.It insists the shield is not aimed at Russia.
[Putin] called for a frank dialogue. From my side, it will be frank French President Nicolas Sarkozy New discord set to last Gorbachev criticises US Send us your comments[Putin] called for a frank dialogue. From my side, it will be frank French President Nicolas Sarkozy New discord set to last Gorbachev criticises US Send us your comments
"As far as I am aware, the only country speculating about targeting Europe with missiles is the Russian Federation," Nato spokesman James Appathurai said."As far as I am aware, the only country speculating about targeting Europe with missiles is the Russian Federation," Nato spokesman James Appathurai said.
"These kind of comments are unhelpful and unwelcome.""These kind of comments are unhelpful and unwelcome."
See map of US missile defence basesSee map of US missile defence bases
The new French president will hold his first talks with Mr Putin at this week's G8 summit in the German resort of Heiligendamm.The new French president will hold his first talks with Mr Putin at this week's G8 summit in the German resort of Heiligendamm.
"I will listen attentively to him. He called for a frank dialogue. From my side, it will be frank," Mr Sarkozy said."I will listen attentively to him. He called for a frank dialogue. From my side, it will be frank," Mr Sarkozy said.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the US plans were not aimed at Russia. He said Britain wanted a strong relationship with Russia, but that Russia had to act constructively.
"We want to have a constructive dialogue with Russia," Mr Blair's official spokesman said.
"We want to be able to talk about issues such as Kosovo, Iran and other global issues in a constructive way. Equally Europe as a whole does have concerns and will not be shy in expressing those concerns."
US President George W Bush is also due to meet Mr Putin at the three-day summit, which starts on Wednesday.US President George W Bush is also due to meet Mr Putin at the three-day summit, which starts on Wednesday.
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow says that if Mr Putin's words are anything to go by, the summit is likely to be stormy.The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow says that if Mr Putin's words are anything to go by, the summit is likely to be stormy.
'Joke of the year''Joke of the year'
Mr Putin issued his warning in an interview with foreign reporters ahead of the G8 meeting.Mr Putin issued his warning in an interview with foreign reporters ahead of the G8 meeting.
"If the American nuclear potential grows in European territory, we will have to have new targets in Europe," Mr Putin said."If the American nuclear potential grows in European territory, we will have to have new targets in Europe," Mr Putin said.
Russia has tested a new ballistic missile to restore 'strategic balance'Russia has tested a new ballistic missile to restore 'strategic balance'
He said neither Iran nor North Korea had the weapons that the US was seeking to shoot down.He said neither Iran nor North Korea had the weapons that the US was seeking to shoot down.
"We are being told the anti-missile defence system is targeted against something that does not exist. Doesn't it seem funny to you?" he asked."We are being told the anti-missile defence system is targeted against something that does not exist. Doesn't it seem funny to you?" he asked.
Top Iranian security official Ali Larijani described the planned deployment as the "joke of the year", adding that Iran's missiles were not capable of reaching Europe.Top Iranian security official Ali Larijani described the planned deployment as the "joke of the year", adding that Iran's missiles were not capable of reaching Europe.
Mr Putin said Washington had "altered the strategic balance" by unilaterally pulling out of the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaty in 2002.Mr Putin said Washington had "altered the strategic balance" by unilaterally pulling out of the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaty in 2002.
He hoped US officials would change their minds about the missile plan, and said that if an arms race resulted it would not be Russia's fault.He hoped US officials would change their minds about the missile plan, and said that if an arms race resulted it would not be Russia's fault.
Last week, Moscow announced it had tested a ballistic missile to maintain "strategic balance" in the world.Last week, Moscow announced it had tested a ballistic missile to maintain "strategic balance" in the world.
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