The United States voiced surprise and dismay at Vladimir Putin’s threat to aim nuclear missiles at Europe, saying that the Russian President’s rhetoric appeared to be a throwback to the Cold War.

As President Bush arrived yesterday in the Czech Republic, a symbolic visit to the focus of Mr Putin’s anger, fast-deteriorating relations with Russia threatened to overshadow this week’s G8 summit in Germany.

Western leaders appeared increasingly prepared for a showdown. President Sarkozy of France promised a “frank discussion” with him, while Britain said that Mr Putin’s latest remarks threatened to undermine Russia’s influence on the world stage.

Mr Putin used an interview with The Times to give warning that Moscow could respond to US plans for a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic by targeting Europe for the first time since the Berlin Wall came down.

It’s Grrrrr8 (honest)

As the G8 summit begins in Germany, Hugo Rifkind explains everything you need to know – and lots of stuff you don’t

Multimedia

• Video: Our young man in Heiligendamm

• Audio: Behind the scenes at the G8

• Pictures: G8 summit

BACKGROUND

• Quotes: what Putin told The Times

• Blair reinvented the Middle Ages

• The West is starting this Cold War

• Save the planet: give to China

Related Internet Links

• Official site of the G8 summit Heiligendamm

Related Links

• Quotes: what Putin told The Times

• Analysis: West needs strategy on Russia

• Briefing: US proximity, not power, annoys Russia

He also snubbed Britain’s request for the extradition of the suspected killer of Alexander Litvinenko, the former KGB agent, and supported moves to cancel a gas exploration deal involving BP.

Sean McCormack, the US State Department spokesman, said that Mr Putin’s words “have more the ring of 1977 than they do 2007 – I don’t know quite what to make of it”. He added: “Even if you assume that somehow we got off on the wrong foot with regard to the missile defence plans for Europe, that doesn’t really account for this continuing rhetoric that Russia keeps harping on.”

The White House reminded Mr Putin that – in Mr Bush’s words last week – “the Cold War is over”.

Stephen Hadley, Mr Bush’s National Security Adviser, said yesterday: “There has been some escalation in the rhetoric. We think that that is not helpful. We would like to have a constructive dialogue with Russia on this issue. We have had it in the past.”

In words echoed by No 10, Mr Hadley reiterated that the proposed missile shield in Eastern Europe “does not pose a threat to Russia” and added that “hopefully it is not about a threat from Russia”. Instead, the US insists that the system is designed to offer protection from rogue states such as Iran or North Korea.

Mr Putin, who cautioned that he could take “retaliatory steps” if Washington were to go forward with the missile plan, including possibly aiming nuclear weapons at targets in Europe, said that neither Iran nor North Korea had such rockets and that the system was clearly designed to be used against Russia. In an effort to ease relations, Mr Bush has invited the Russian leader for an unprecedented stay at his family’s summer compound at Kennebunkport next month. But he is also hosting Estonia’s President at the White House the previous week, which will not please the Russians, who are angry about the Baltic state’s removal of a memorial to fallen Soviet soldiers.

Mr Bush’s trip to Europe for the G8 summit includes visits to the Czech Republic and Poland, former Soviet satellites where he wants to base parts of the new missile defence shield. In Prague he will underscore the need for democratic reforms in Russia amid complaints about Mr Putin’s human rights record.

Mr Hadley said: “Obviously when we look for the progress of freedom and democracy, we look at the progress of freedom and democracy in Russia and China.” But he insisted that the speech was “not about Russia – it’s about the freedom agenda”. Tony Blair’s spokesman said that Europe had concerns about Russia’s behaviour and would “not be shy in expressing those concerns”.

Privately, diplomats are accusing Mr Putin of stoking the row to counter his growing international difficulties.

Mr Sarkozy said: “I will listen attentively to him. He called for a frank dialogue. From my side it will be frank.” He has promised to confront Mr Putin about human rights violations in Chechnya and the death last October of Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist who criticised the Russian President.

Nato was equally forthright in its criticism. A spokesman said: “As far as I am aware, the only country speculating about targeting Europe with missiles is the Russian Federation. These kind of comments are unhelpful and unwelcome.”

Times Recommends

• Please help: maimed children of war want their lives back
• Cabal seizes diamond riches to buy power
• White House gatecrashers got to the president