The row between Russia and the US over the missile defence system

"Russia and the US are quarrelling about the construction of a missile defence system and stirring up suspicion in doing so," Frank Nienhuysen writes. "According to Washington, the Americans' plans to station part of their missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic are chiefly aimed at protecting Europe against attacks from Iran. But now Russia feels offended, and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov is retaliating. First he talked of an 'unfriendly gesture' and now he has pointedly announced the modernisation of Russia's missile arsenal and is even threatening to reconsider the country's relationship with NATO. … The missiles should not be allowed to trigger a new arms race or a break in the relations between NATO and Russia. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, it has taken many years of effort to build a still fragile foundation of trust. The tone adopted in the dispute between Moscow and Washington must be moderated, and Europeans can play a key role in achieving this."

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