Putin's nuclear missile threat
Updated on 04 June 2007
A high profile Putin spat over America's missile shield, but did we ever agree to it?
The harsh rhetoric has echoes of the cold war and raises the prospect of a new arms race between the US and Russia.
The Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to target European cities in protest at US plans to build a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Despite Washington's insistence that the shield is meant to provide protection from rogue states and isn't aimed at Russia, President Putin said his country was likely to retaliate.
Downing Street said it was time for Moscow to decide if it wanted a constructive relationship with the West - and the White House called the comments unhelpful.
