This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6719507.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Nato condemns Putin missile vow Nato condemns Putin missile vow
(about 3 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 shield was "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.
It aims to build parts of the system in Poland and the Czech Republic, where US President George W Bush has arrived for talks ahead of this week's G8 summit.
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. His words sparked concern in the West, with new French President Nicolas Sarkozy saying he would have "frank" talks with Mr Putin on the issue.
'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.
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 Q&A: US missile defence 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.
"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. And Nato spokesman James Appathurai went further, saying Russia was "the only country speculating about targeting Europe with missiles".
"I will listen attentively to him. He called for a frank dialogue. From my side, it will be frank," Mr Sarkozy said. "These kind of comments are unhelpful and unwelcome."
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. Mr Putin's spokesman has since attempted to soothe the row, describing the Russian leader's comment as a "hypothetical" response to a "hypothetical" question.
"We want to have a constructive dialogue with Russia," Mr Blair's official spokesman said. 'Stormy summit'
"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." President George W Bush has now arrived in Prague for talks ahead of the G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany.
US President George W Bush is also due to meet Mr Putin at the three-day summit, which starts on Wednesday. [Putin] called for a frank dialogue. From my side, it will be frank French President Nicolas Sarkozy class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6717927.stm">New discord set to last class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6720153.stm">Q&A: US missile defence class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6478&start=0&edition=1&ttl=20070604090025">Send us your comments
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. Several hundred protesters took to the streets as Mr Bush arrived in Prague, denouncing the US leader and stressing their opposition to the missile defence scheme.
'Joke of the year' Some echoed the concerns of a previous era.
"We had Russian troops here for more than 20 years, and I was against that, too," Karel Janko, 63, told the Associated Press news agency.
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.
Speaking in the way to Europe, Mr Bush's national security adviser also said Mr Putin's remarks were "not helpful".
Riot police are out on the streets of Prague for Mr Bush's visit
"We would like to have a constructive dialogue with Russia on this issue," Stephen Hadley said.
Mr Bush is due to deliver a major speech on democracy and freedom in Prague on Tuesday.
Though US officials say the address is not about Russia, the president is expected to highlight concerns about the Kremlin's tightening grip on power.
European concern
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.
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.
Mr Putin and Mr Bush are scheduled to meet at what correspondents predict is likely to be a stormy G8 summit.
Both the new French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said there was a need for a dialogue with Russia.
"Europe as a whole does have concerns and will not be shy in expressing those concerns," said Mr Blair's official spokesman.
Return to top Return to top