Nato proposed a new era of co-operation with Russia today, calling for joint work with Moscow and Washington on missile defence after the United States yesterday scrapped a planned anti-missile system.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin described as "correct and brave" President Barack Obama's decision to drop the missile shield intended for Europe by predecessor George W. Bush.
"I do believe that it is possible for Nato and Russia to make a new beginning and to enjoy a far more productive relationship in the future," Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in his first big policy speech since taking office in August.
"We should explore the potential for linking the US, Nato and Russian missile defence systems at an appropriate time."
Mr Rasmussen called for more co-operation on ending the conflict in Afghanistan, fighting piracy at sea and ensuring Iran does not develop nuclear arms. He also proposed a joint review of global security threats.
He gave few details of how his proposals would work but they were welcomed by Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's ambassador to Nato and one of Moscow's loudest critics of the planned US missile shield.
"It was very positive, very constructive and we have to analyse together all the sec-gen's proposals for the new beginning of Nato-Russia co-operation," Mr Rogozin said.
He indicated Russia would not go ahead with plans to deploy medium-range missiles in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave which borders Nato members Poland and Lithuania, if the United States abandoned its plans to place ground-based interceptors in Poland and use a radar site in the Czech Republic.
Responding to the US move, Mr Putin said; "The latest decisions by President Obama to cancel plans to build the third positioning region of the missile defence system in Europe inspires hope, and I do anticipate that this correct and brave decision will be followed by others," Mr Putin said.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev added that Russia would "more attentively listen" to US concerns following Mr Obama's decision on the missile shield.
However, some military experts saw the moves as a sign of weakness by Mr Obama which Moscow hardliners would want to exploit further. Mr Putin, in a speech today, called for Mr Obama to follow up with concessions on trade and technology transfer.
Others described abandonment of the system as a bold gesture that could improve frosty relations between the West and Russia, but also said many obstacles remained to better ties between the former Cold War foes.
Reuters