Putin warns of confrontation over US missile plan

Russian President Putin today compared American plans for a missile defence in Europe with the Cuban missile crisis of the 1960s that almost plunged the world into nuclear war.

“Such a threat is being set up on our borders,” Mr Putin said at the end of an EU-Russian summit in Portugal.

But Putin suggested the tension was much lower than during the Cuban crisis when America confronted Russia over Soviet missiles secretly installed on the island a short distance from the US mainland.

Mr Putin said relations between Russia and the US have moved on since the Cold War.

He said he feels the US is listening to Moscow's concerns about its missile plans.

Mr Putin added that his relationship with President Bush, whom he called a friend, helped iron out problems.