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Putin warns US on defence plans Putin warns US on defence plans
(about 1 hour later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signalled he will not support a US plan for a missile defence system in Europe, at the start of key US-Russia talks.Russian President Vladimir Putin has signalled he will not support a US plan for a missile defence system in Europe, at the start of key US-Russia talks.
He urged Washington "not to force" a planned deployment of a radar in the Czech Republic and interceptors in Poland on Russia during the talks.He urged Washington "not to force" a planned deployment of a radar in the Czech Republic and interceptors in Poland on Russia during the talks.
Moscow sees the US plans as a threat to its own security.Moscow sees the US plans as a threat to its own security.
Mr Putin also threatened to abandon a key nuclear missile treaty which he said was outdated.Mr Putin also threatened to abandon a key nuclear missile treaty which he said was outdated.
One day you and I may decide that missile defence systems can be deployed on the Moon, but before we get there the possibility of reaching an agreement may be lost because you will have implemented your own plans Vladimir Putin US tries to bridge gap
Analysts say President Putin's threat to withdraw from the treaty is yet another diplomatic move to pressurise the Americans at the start of a difficult day of negotiations.
The Russian leader appeared to mock the US plan for a European missile defence system.The Russian leader appeared to mock the US plan for a European missile defence system.
" One day you and I may decide that missile defence systems can be deployed on the Moon," Mr Putin said as he began talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates. class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7037204.stm">US tries to bridge gap "One day you and I may decide that missile defence systems can be deployed on the Moon," Mr Putin said as he began talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
"But before we get there, the possibility of reaching an agreement may be lost because you will have implemented your own plans," he said."But before we get there, the possibility of reaching an agreement may be lost because you will have implemented your own plans," he said.
The Kremlin has asked the US why it cannot instead use Russian-operated early warning radar in Azerbaijan.The Kremlin has asked the US why it cannot instead use Russian-operated early warning radar in Azerbaijan.
US officials said the Azerbaijan radar was not an alternative because it only offered a broad view of the horizon, and not the narrow focus of the proposed Czech Republic radar.US officials said the Azerbaijan radar was not an alternative because it only offered a broad view of the horizon, and not the narrow focus of the proposed Czech Republic radar.
See maps of US and Russian missile systems
President Putin also said at the start of the talks that it would be difficult to remain part of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty unless it was expanded to include more countries than just the US and Russia.President Putin also said at the start of the talks that it would be difficult to remain part of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty unless it was expanded to include more countries than just the US and Russia.
HAVE YOUR SAY Talking is always better than not talking. But I'm sure that neither country can trust the other CDT, Idaho class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3670&edition=2&ttl=20071012090220">Send us your comments The reason, he said, is that other countries were developing these kinds of weapons systems - including those close to Russia's borders. The reason, he said, is that other countries were developing these kinds of weapons systems - including those close to Russia's borders.
How US missile shield works
It is not clear which countries he was referring to, but one analyst told the BBC it could mean Iran and North Korea.It is not clear which countries he was referring to, but one analyst told the BBC it could mean Iran and North Korea.
The INF treaty, which limits US and Russian short and medium range missiles, was signed 20 years ago and led to the elimination of almost 3,000 Russian and American missiles. Russia has also threatened to leave the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe if it is not ratified by all Nato nations.
The Americans arrived at Friday's high-level meeting saying they would not back down from their plan to install a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic.The Americans arrived at Friday's high-level meeting saying they would not back down from their plan to install a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The US says it has to counteract "rogue states" like Iran and North Korea.The US says it has to counteract "rogue states" like Iran and North Korea.
US offerUS offer
Daniel Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, said Washington hoped to win Russia's support for the Czech radar by suggesting that Moscow enters into its aegis.Daniel Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, said Washington hoped to win Russia's support for the Czech radar by suggesting that Moscow enters into its aegis.
Friday's talks are also expected to cover Russia's threat to leave the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and aim nuclear missiles at Europe if the US forges ahead. Friday's talks are also expected to cover:
Analysts say discussions on what might succeed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) on nuclear weapons, which expires in 2009, are also likely.
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  • What might succeed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) on nuclear weapons, which expires in 2009
  • The political future of Kosovo
  • A US drive to seek Russian backing for tougher sanctions against Iran
And the political future of Kosovo will be on the agenda.
The so-called two-plus-two meeting will bring Ms Rice and Mr Gates face-to-face with their Russian counterparts, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.
The secretary of state, who trained as a Soviet specialist during the Cold War, is also expected to hold a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
And the US diplomatic team is expected to seek Russian backing for tougher sanctions against Iran.
Washington says Iran wants to build nuclear weapons but Tehran says it simply wants to produce nuclear energy.Washington says Iran wants to build nuclear weapons but Tehran says it simply wants to produce nuclear energy.
Mr Putin, who is due to visit Iran next week, says there is no evidence that Iran is trying to build a nuclear bomb. name="map">
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