Robertson welcomes Russian 'Star Wars'

Talks focused on missile defence and Nato expansion

Nato's secretary-general has given a cautious welcome to a Russian proposal for a European anti-missile shield, saying it represented a significant change in Russia's attitude to the nuclear threat.

Lord Robertson said the alliance would reserve judgment on the plans themselves, but praised Russia's admission that there was a danger of possible attack from so-called rogue states.

We're all so fascinated that they are now saying that there are risks from the proliferation of ballistic missiles, that we'll hold judgment until we know a lot more

Lord Robertson

"We're all so fascinated that they are now saying that there are risks from the proliferation of ballistic missiles, that we'll hold judgment until we know a lot more," he said.

The Russian Government presented Lord Robertson with the plans for a European defence shield, to be known as Euro-pro, during his two-day visit to Moscow.

His talks with Russian leaders focused on the planned US system, which Russia argues could spark a new arms race, and the alliance's eastward expansion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern about the expansion, especially if Nato grants membership to the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

"We have noticed your statement that the alliance does not view Russia as an adversary. We welcome this statement and appreciate it," he told Lord Robertson.

"But the expansion of the defensive union to the borders of Russia cannot be explained by anything other than a threat posed by Russia."

Defence chiefs earlier warned of retaliatory steps if Nato came too close.

Interest expressed

Moscow's own missile defence proposals envisage the creation of a mobile system, which could be deployed quickly to counter any potential threat.

The BBC Moscow correspondent says Russia is hoping that European states will be so impressed with the scheme that they will back the project and abandon support for the US system.

France and Germany have already expressed interest in Moscow's proposed system, which includes:

• Close assessment of existing and future missile threats

• Averting such threats by joint political efforts

• Deploying a mobile anti-missile force near a potential aggressor only as a last resort.

Senior Russian Defence Ministry official Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov said the plan would abide by existing arms agreements.

Cheaper than America's

Russia, with an annual defence budget of $6bn compared with the US's $300bn, does not have the resources to develop a costly anti-ballistic missile system.

Western analysts say the Russian version may be a ploy to divide the US from its European partners, who are lukewarm about the NMD.

Russia is against US missile defence plans

Russian defence chiefs said last week that its missile shield will be much cheaper and more practical than the US scheme.

Correspondents say Lord Robertson's visit comes at a time when Russia is adopting an increasingly hard line with the West.

They add that Russia has been trying to prove to the world it is still a force to be reckoned with.

And it has also been a fierce opponent of Washington's missile defence plans, fearing they could render Russia's own nuclear deterrent ineffective.

Show of strength

In recent days Russia has sent nuclear-capable bombers close to foreign airspace during exercises, and launched three strategic missiles.

In an attempt to provide an alternative to NMD, Mr Putin last year offered to work with the US on a defence shield using smaller tactical rather than strategic missiles to shoot down incoming threats.

Russia is the only country in the world with a functioning ballistic missile defence system, which protects the Russian capital, Moscow.