Russian President Putin

Russian President Putin gave a stark missile warning to the United States. He says the plans for a missile shield could precipitate a situation similar to the Cuban missile crisis of the l950's. He was speaking after a summit with EU leaders in Portugal aimed at deepening ties despite disagreements over human rights and foreign policy. Russia has long opposed US plan to build missile bases in European states once in the Soviet sphere of influence. The Cuban crisis saw the Soviet Union and the US go to the brink of nuclear war. We sure don't that to happen again.

Missile Shield is Urgent

President Bush has said there is a real and urgent need for a missile defense system in Europe. He also said the missile threat was from the Middle East, not Russia, which strongly opposes sites for the shield in Poland and the Czech republic. He warned that Iran could have a ballistic missile capable of reaching Europe or the US by 2015. Earlier, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the shield could be delayed while Russian concerns were tackled.