Right, historically and genetically the Russians are a part of Europe. But Europe, especially the 'new Europeans', has been trying hard to squeeze us out of the continent and to convince us that we are closer to Mongols. In fact the EU is on the verge of admitting Turkey (Asian, islamic), while keeping Russia (Caucasian, Christian) at bay. Well, you have almost succeeded, we are not averse to being Asians, considering that it is now the fashionable race. Russian population dying out? The immigrants are streaming into Russia and the numbers are sky-rocketing. Russia insignificant economically? A fairy tale. Russia needs the West? Not more than it needs China and India. Russia weak militarily? A joke. Russia belligerent? An insult. Live and let live is our slogan now. We are too tired of revolutions, wars, reforms, conflicts. Just try to mind your own business for a while and leave us in peace.

Pavel, Rostov, Russia

Sir,
Well said!
Like 99.9% of politicians the world over, it's the same primal drives that make it a game for them, and a worry for the rest of us.

SC, London, United Kingdom

Russia must accept fact that it is again in its natural borders from late 17th Century. No sphere of influence in Central Europe or on Ukraine. These areas are free and any trying of interfere will be treated as an agressive imperialistic action in stalinist manner!

Sebastian Rysz, Lodz, Poland

Georhe Bush has reached the bottom of public approval
in the U.S.; he is in the global pit internationally, and his
global bravado has been shredded in Iraq. On the other hand, Russia is out of the poverty and the gangland business of the 90's; has cleared Chesnya; revitalized its army, and Putin has attained a global leader status with measured responses to global issues, and tough stand on Russia's interests. And central nation's leaders who have been flirting with the U.S. are returning to Russia's side because they don't want to be the losers at the U.S side. They have realized that partnering with a global bully can only put them in the line of fire of anti-Americanism everywhere. And at a time that the U.S. is viewed as a mauled paper tiger in Iraq, Putin comes confident like
a Siberian tiger in Europe with a growl to reckon with.

Nikos Retsos, River Grove, U.S.

Ever since Russia, Germany, and France united to oppose the US' war in Iraq at the U.N., America's policy has been to divide the EU and Russia. Though I find it amusing that Europe is so easily duped into playing its role as an irrelevant pawn, it's unfortunate that the 'West' (US + EU) don't realize the natural partner they have in Russia. Hopefully a changing of the guard in both Russia and the U.S. will result in a more sensible and realist policy.

Jesse Heath, Washington, DC,

Living in Moscow as a foreigner(Kenyan), and a keen observer of Putin's foreign policy, the west+ America has to get ready for tougher and a bumpy ride ride with Russia on board, especially with the uncertainties of the future Russian leader.

dorothy, Moscow, Russia.

I see no reason for the US to be building anti-missile defenses in Eastern Europe. No reason, that is, but to tick off the Russians and herd the silly Europeans back into the US-dominated NATO war camp. Russia's economic recovery came as a shock to Washington. While Americans were busy bombing Serbia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, those sneaky Russians found their checkbooks and balanced their accounts. Now the White House strategists are in a big hurry to capitalize on the Cold War gains, but they are about ten years too late. The current crisis is not about the missiles: Russians don't seriously expect Washington to drop its plans for ABM defenses. This conflict is the same old tug-of-war over influence in Europe. If Prague and Warsaw volunteered to be the rope in this game, well... everyone is entitled to their share of stupid mistakes.

Veniamin Nikolayev, Philadelphia, USA/Pennsylvania

now i´m expecting a new europeam spirit with russians. we shoudn´t forget that they are europeans too, and we don´t have to colaborate creating a fear atmosphere against them. their missiles are nearer europe than america.and the mineral resources too. let´s see the two faces of the blade...

jesus, madrid,

Dawn - you have some curiously Russian syntax going on there. You been out of Blighty for a while?

Malcolm A , London, UK

The west's strategy towards Russia needs to be let it develop unhindered. Without continual provocation, Russia doesn't need to respond. Any state will take measures to defend itself.

This is the west's new cold war, NOT Russia's.

DS, Darwin, Australia

Putin's successor is going to be annointed by him, and may only last a single term of office before Putin constitutionally returns for another eight years as president. In the meantime Putin may take a prominent role such as Mayor of Moscow or St Petersberg, or head of the FSB (former KGB). If the West's best response is to wait until Putin is out of the picture we are in for a long bumpy ride. Given that reality, it is better to face up to a bully now, than have to face a bigger and bolder bully in the future.

G, London,

I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of positive responses to the President Putin's speech from the Western and American audience. It means that people here are not so easily brainwashed by so called democratic european media that usually gives only one point of view (unlike even the Russian media), especially when it comes to controversial political issues involving Russia. While disagreeing with Mr Putin on many of his political actions, I think this speech was a real eye-opener for many American and European people who would hear every day one and only version of events served by their unscrupulous politicians.

Dawn, London, UK

Why the heck do we need a missile defense system in Eastern Europe? It seems that so much of the crisis is because of this useless ABM system my country seems intent on building. And let's not forget how we pulled out of the ABM treaty altogether. I agree with the author's assessment of Putin and Russia, but ultimately I blame my own president for restarting the Cold War.

Noah, New York, NY

Dear Sir,
it seems our president did not look deep enough into Mr.Putin's eyes.If he did, he would have seen a lot of old wine in new bottles.

Werner Kolb, North Woodmere, USA NY 11581

There's very little trust between politicians from different parts of the world. It's never been terribly important what the people think now in the EU or Russia. What matters is the ruling power which is firmly held by politicians who will do whatever they wish. The EU is no different from Russia in this respect. Ruling groups are always dissociated from the mass of the people because they have their own aims, bearing little of no relationship to the people's wishes.

Missiles placed close to its borders has to be seen as a threat regardless on any words from EU politicians viewed from the Russian perspective. After all the UK is renewing Trident without missiles being placed near our borders so it hard to blame Russia. It would be seen as dereliction of duty not to to put missiles in place to meet the possible threat from the EU. No doubt nowadays missiles can be reprogrammed for a new target at a moments notice so talk of any target other than Russia can't count for much . After all how often to politicians ever speak the truth? Far too infrequently for them to be believed by other than the credulous.
Russia easily has enough money from its oil and gas reserves to afford to put in place missiles to target the EU in response just in case.

Derek Emery, Bedworth, UK