Tensions have been running high between Russia and the United States of late, with the leaders of both nations exchanging words over the proposed implementation of a US missile-defense shield based in Eastern Europe (Poland and the Czech Republic). While the Bush administration has held firm to the line that the system’s purpose is to protect Europe from potential strikes from Rogue States, Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that the system serves no realistic purpose given that none of the states that are of concern can even target Europe, which has led to his government’s rationalization that it is a move to consolidate NATO’s influence in Eastern Europe, of which Russia is not a member, and extend US military influence in the region.

Given the rhetoric emanating from both sides, the current G8 summit in Germany was billed as a showdown between Mr. Bush and Mr. Putin over the issue. But rather than producing fireworks, Putin has tabled a compromise of sorts, one that isn’t particularly viable, but will certainly place the onus on the United States with regards to alienating the Russians further…

“Vladimir Putin on Thursday seized the initiative in the dispute over US plans to site anti-missile defences in central Europe by suggesting instead a joint plan to base part of the system at a former Soviet radar station in Azerbaijan.

The Russian leader took George W. Bush by surprise when he made the proposal at the G8 summit in Germany following weeks of rising tensions over the programme.

Mr Putin said he had secured agreement from Azerbaijan to use the radar as part of a collaborative system that would protect Europe from incoming missiles.

If Washington accepted the proposal, he would not have to carry out his recent threat to retarget Russian missiles against Europe, Mr Putin said.

“This will make it unnecessary for us to place our offensive complexes along the border with Europe,” Mr Putin told reporters, standing beside his US counterpart.

Mr Bush described the proposal as “interesting” and said both sides had agreed to engage in “strategic dialogue” to “share ideas” over missile defence.

Stephen Hadley, US national security adviser, said the proposal demonstrated Russian willingness to engage in “real co-operation” on missile defence.

But the two sides were at odds over the potential role of the Azerbaijan radar. Mr Putin portrayed it as an alternative to a planned US facility in the Czech Republic that Russia opposes. But Mr Hadley said only that Azerbaijan could make a “contribution” to the broader system.

Pavel Felgenhauer, a defence analyst in Moscow, said the Gabala radar station involved in the proposal was not a suitable substitute for the Czech Republic as it was too close to Iran – one of the countries Washington says its missile shield is designed to defend against. It was also too far from the planned US interceptor base in Poland to be viable. “The Pentagon won’t want this at all,” he said. “The White House will not reject it out of hand, but I don’t forecast any agreement.”

US officials sought to portray the proposal as a breakthrough in efforts to secure Moscow’s backing for its missile shield and a first step towards serious negotiations about co-operation.

But it appeared highly unlikely that Washington would sacrifice its Czech base or put a key part of its missile shield in the hands of a former Soviet state.”