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Russia urges US missile 'freeze' Russia urges US missile 'freeze'
(about 2 hours later)
Russia has called on the US to "freeze" plans to employ missile defence facilities in eastern Europe.Russia has called on the US to "freeze" plans to employ missile defence facilities in eastern Europe.
After high-level talks in Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia saw the shield as a "potential threat" and wanted to "neutralise" it.After high-level talks in Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia saw the shield as a "potential threat" and wanted to "neutralise" it.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice denied any threat to Russia, saying she wanted both countries to work together.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice denied any threat to Russia, saying she wanted both countries to work together.
Earlier, however, Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled he would not support American plans.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.He urged Washington "not to force" a planned deployment - of a radar in the Czech Republic and interceptors in Poland - on Russia.
Mr Putin also threatened to abandon a key nuclear missile treaty which he said was outdated.Mr Putin also threatened to abandon a key nuclear missile treaty which he said was outdated.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
After meeting President Putin Ms Rice went into a "2+2" meeting with her counterpart, Mr Lavrov, and the two countries' defence secretaries, Robert Gates and Anatoly Serdyukov.After meeting President Putin Ms Rice went into a "2+2" meeting with her counterpart, Mr Lavrov, and the two countries' defence secretaries, Robert Gates and Anatoly Serdyukov.
The atmosphere afterwards was glum, says the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow. It was clear the two sides had made little progress in tackling the increasing number of problems dogging their relationship.
How US missile shield works
Mr Gates said he and Ms Rice had put several new ideas to the Russians, but indicated that they had not yet been accepted.Mr Gates said he and Ms Rice had put several new ideas to the Russians, but indicated that they had not yet been accepted.
"Our talks reflected the complex, multi-faceted relationship the US and Russia have," he said."Our talks reflected the complex, multi-faceted relationship the US and Russia have," he said.
How US missile shield works
"We remain eager to be open and full partners with Russia in missile defence... we discussed a range of proposals we hope they will accept.""We remain eager to be open and full partners with Russia in missile defence... we discussed a range of proposals we hope they will accept."
But Mr Lavrov said that to make such talks more effective, "plans on deploying the third positioning region [of the missile defence] should be frozen".
"There is a potential threat for us, and we... will have to take some measures to neutralise this threat," he said.
The US says it needs a missile defence system to counteract "rogue states" like Iran and North Korea.The US says it needs a missile defence system to counteract "rogue states" like Iran and North Korea.
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.
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 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 Mr Gates said while that radar might be used, it was not capable of guiding interceptor missiles.
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 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, was 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.
Analysts say President Putin's threat to withdraw from the treaty is yet another diplomatic move to pressurise the Americans.Analysts say President Putin's threat to withdraw from the treaty is yet another diplomatic move to pressurise the Americans.
The 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.The 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.
Split on Iran
Russia has also threatened to leave the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe if it is not ratified by all Nato nations.Russia has also threatened to leave the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe if it is not ratified by all Nato nations.
But Russian defence analyst Alexander Goltz said this military agenda suited Mr Putin as it distracts his Western critics from the subjects of democracy and human rights. Russian defence analyst Alexander Goltz said this military agenda for the talks 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.
Ms Rice and Mr Gates are in Moscow for two days of talks, which were also expected to cover: The US-Russian talks also covered the Iranian nuclear issue, after which Mr Lavrov criticised US sanctions and US hints about using military force against Iran, which he said "contradict our collective efforts" to negotiate a solution.
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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
 Ms Rice and Mr Gates were in Moscow for two days of talks, which were also expected to cover Kosovo and a nuclear weapons treaty to succeed START, which expires in 2009.
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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