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Putin warns US on defence plans Russia urges US missile 'freeze'
(about 2 hours 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. Russia has called on the US to "freeze" plans to employ missile defence facilities in eastern Europe.
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. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the call after high-level talks in Moscow with US counterparts.
Moscow sees the US plans as a threat to its own security. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice insisted the missile defence shield was no threat to Russia, and that the US wanted both countries to work together.
Earlier, however, Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled he would not support American plans.
He urged Washington "not to force" a planned deployment of a radar in the Czech Republic and interceptors in Poland on Russia.
Moscow sees the US plans as a threat to Russia's 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Mr Putin also threatened to abandon a key nuclear missile treaty which he said was outdated.Mr Putin also threatened to abandon a key nuclear missile treaty which he said was outdated.
Map of US missile defence systemsMap of US missile defence systems
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. Analysts say President Putin's threat to withdraw from the treaty is yet another diplomatic move to pressurise the Americans.
"Putin is looking for a card to threaten the USA," Russian military analyst Alexander Goltz told the BBC.
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, 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 gapOne 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
"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. "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 Ms 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.
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 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.
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, was that other countries were developing these kinds of weapons systems - including those close to Russia's borders.
How US missile shield worksHow 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 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 US says it needs a missile defence system 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.
But Russian defence analyst Alexander Goltz said the US and Russian positions were so far apart that he did not expect any real progress in the talks.But Russian defence analyst Alexander Goltz said the US and Russian positions were so far apart that he did not expect any real progress in the talks.
He added, however, that this military agenda suited Mr Putin as it distracts his Western critics from the subjects of democracy and human rights.He added, however, that this military agenda suited Mr Putin as it distracts his Western critics from the subjects of democracy and human rights.
Mr Putin does not want any Western interference into his plans for continued political involvement when he has to stand down as president next March, Mr Goltz said.Mr Putin does not want any Western interference into his plans for continued political involvement when he has to stand down as president next March, Mr Goltz said.
Friday's talks are also expected to cover: The talks were also expected to cover:
  • 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
  • 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
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.
US MISSILE DEFENCE: LONG RANGE THREAT PROTECTION US wants to build defence system against possible missile attacksPart of defences would be in Eastern Europe - which Russia opposesRussia suggests US should use its Gabala, Azerbaijan base instead Q&A: US missile defencesUS MISSILE DEFENCE: LONG RANGE THREAT PROTECTION US wants to build defence system against possible missile attacksPart of defences would be in Eastern Europe - which Russia opposesRussia suggests US should use its Gabala, Azerbaijan base instead Q&A: US missile defences
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