They are all pawns in the game but to pretend the world was not already enslaved by the "almighty dollar" is a hugely destructive fantasy. I always say you can't trust people who have to be dragged kicking and screaming into your legitimate wars but are only too happy to attack anyone illigitimately who is much weaker and who they can make a profit out of. You can't trust uncle Sam any more or less than Putin's Russia. There is only one country fit to set up the basic tenets for the new world order and we live in that country. The game is over and the rest have lost and they know it, the only question left for them to answer is ....... "by how much?"

John Sinclair, Dundee, UK

How did America react to Russian Missiles in Cuba 1963? Almost stated WW3. Who remembers Senator McCarthy's purges of the late forties/ early fifties of supposed communists? Hundreds off people had their lives ruined by this man and his (secret ) informers before he was discredited.
Who had the 'bomb'' first? America. Who is the country who wants Star Wars in Space? America.
So it goes, there are many reasons for Europe to fear America as much as Russia.
Both countries have overweening ambitions for world domination, both countries are a danger to anyone who wont subscribe to their version of madness.

Howard, Basildon, England

A. Morgan, Cambridge, UK

1. Why do you think Russia SHOULD join the EU?
2. What makes you think the current situation is down to "the minds of ex-KGB agents re-fighting the battles of the past" and not to US battle for world supremacy and its view of Russia as one possible contender?

Elena, Beds,

US Economy 11 TRILLION. Rusia 845 Billion.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

cold war 2

gary, mullingar,

Well, why? Why doesn't Russia see its long-term future as being a part of the EU? Why be contrary all the time? Where do our interests really depart, apart from in the minds of ex-KGB agents re-fighting the battles of the past? Is someone who really understands Russia able to give an answer to this?

A. Morgan, Cambridge, UK

The west created Putin, Gorbachof, was our prince in shining armour and what did we do? We alienated Russia from the get go playing on the hatred for Russia of the ex-Soviet Union states. Com'on the US and the west were nothing but arrogant to them after they "tore down the wall". I have never in my life seen a more stupifying mentality, then what the west has shown the east.

Peter, Orlando,

With the prices of oil at what they are now, Russia has enough money to inject in weapons development. If the situation in Middle east and Western Asia doesn't improve, the oil prices will only climb up. It's ironic how U.S. is actually helping Russia fuel its economy and military by staying in the Midle East.

Dmitri Lukianov, Edmonton, Canada

Mr. Putin needs to go visit the funny farm.

Bryan, Houston, USA

Frankly, what has emerged as Russia's official stance over the past two years was inevitable. They accepted the principle of EU expansion, even up to their borders but have always - even under Yeltsin - been opposed to Nato expansion.
Any self respecting sovereign nation, upon finding itself encircled by an ever expanding military organisation (and former enemy), would respond in this way.
Unless America can pull back from their increasing militarisation of Europe, expect things to get worse.

jesse, london,

I am glad to see so many of you agreeing with Mr. Putin. I am 25 and have now realized that the British despise and resent the US and have long before Iraq. Which is a shame, really, considering I used to have such warm feelings towards the country of my ancestors. I am beginning to favor the US pulling out of Iraq and elsewhere in the world, including Afganistan, and beginning a full on isolationist policy toward Europe and the rest of the world. I am sure you will all rejoice at this, as will I. Of course, then who will you blame for all of the ills of the world. Rebuild our military and use it only in defensive measures against the US, not offensive.
All I have to say to my very distant British cousins is enjoy it when Mr. Putin/and or the Muslim world sets his sights on Western Europe(as it already has) and America is too fed up with your hatred towards us to answer your calls for help.

Mary Russell, Atlanta, US

Dan Sheppard, Providence, RI, may call it 'centuries old paranoia' but I would remind him that 20 million Russians lost their lives in World War 2.(also, suffering similar experience with Napoleon/France preceding century) I would also suggest that with the USA's apparent appetite for invading, or, causing mischief in independent states/countries throughout the world, this 'centuries old paranoia' might not be entirely misplaced. Anyway, viewing the very real global circumstances, and the lessons of history, it would be wrong to blame them for erring on the side of caution!

Richard Devitt, London,

The continuation of the conflict between Russia and "The West" is the most bizarre, anachronistic feature of the current geo-political situation. What is there to be gained by either side through the continuation of such animosity. The most logical step would seem to be to be the invitation of Russia itself to join NATO. There simply aren't any grounds left, other than personal pride or rank nationalism, to justify the continuation of a Cold War-style power-struggle. I don't get it. The continued alignment of "Western" and Russian interests seems to indicate that cooperation would give greater benefit to both sides than any kind of competition possibly could.

Patrick Conlin, St. Louis, MO, United States

It seems to me strange. Times says: 'will match West in new arms race' but russian press write quite the contrary.

Putin says Russia won't be drawn into new arms race. thats from Rian Novosti article:http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080208/98758020.html

There is a desinformation thats quite sure, by whom ?

artemis, Lyon, france

Russia's lust for power will ultimately lead them to their demise. Yes Putin took back the control of the natural resources and for that he deserves credit. But instead of using this money of bettering the lives of its people, he wants to enter into a new arms race. Why? Because Putin thinks NATO is a threat and might attack Russia. Give me a break.
Just remember "Pride cometh before the fall" Russian government has more than their share of pride and they are not shy about it. This country is in trouble and you don't have to be an expert to see it just read some of the headlines. It’s ironic but Russia is reverting to what it’s most comfortable with an authoritarian regime with a “Czar” that can do no w
rong.
Americans who think that Putin is doing well by standing up to US remember two wrongs don’t make a right. Russia should be first conserned with providing Russians with western values and ideals if it wants to be considered a European nation

MrBurns, New York, New York

If you continually provoke and antagonise bears, they tend to get very angry! Why should anybody be surprised by Putins behaviour, personally, I believe he is one of the few sane leaders on the world scene today, and, a very necessary counter balance to the lunatics in the White House!

Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton,, London

Adam Shamchuk, Edmonton, Canada
Please don't mix the apples and oranges. The retoric has nothing to do with arms race. This race has never stopped, the new weapons (F22 "Raptor" for example) have been developed when Putin wasn't a president of Russia. As well, your remark "The west would just sit there and let you control Eastern Europe when Russia had no mandate nor capacity to do so? I think not. " just shows the tipycal Western double-standards: when you can grab - grab, when caught - cry about the human rights. West has even less rights to Eastern Europe, and by the way, Putin's Russia didn't claime any right to control Eastern Europe anyways. It's market economy time now, you want gas, oil, resources - pay money.
I understand that as Ukranian you have some issues with Russia, please keep them to yourself.
I wish Canada had some guts to control its resources instead of selling them next to nothing to US. Putin is a great leader who wisely used opportunity to help his country.

Oleg, Toronto, Canada

Russia knew exactly that this was going to happen if they were to supply Iran with nuclear technology. Now they have done so the western world has to defend itself, and due to this defense systems will have to be launched in Europe. If Russia realy cared about there security they would of not gone ahead with the Iran nuclear program and instead been against it and sided it the west. But instead Russia wanted the money and sent its first fuel shipment, waited to see what the response was then sent the other shipments as fast as they could, then a weel later they say they are "worried" over the missile testing Iran is doing. Russia got itself into the mess its in and it wont be able to get itself out, instead Nato will expand and so will the E.U.

James Brown, cansujd,

Russia bankrupted itself before trying to match the West in an arms race and it will bust itself again. A bankrupt Russia is a safe Russia for the rest of the world.

Arthur, Melbourne Australia,

NATO can not find the troops to fight militants in Afganistan. Putin has to be one paranoid and unrealistic guy to think NATO would supply troops to attack Russia.

Spend the cash on Vodka and throw a party mate. Chill out.

Zen, London,

It is about time the US and Nato were made to understand they are not global rulers. For far too long they have took it upon themselves to be a global police force, along the way ensuring they manipulate and take advantage of any situation where they can gain financial and territorial power. However, it equally important we recognise Russia has internal problems, it is no secret corruption is rife and even worse, Russia's genocide against the Chechen muslims has gone unnoticed for far too long. Can a superstate like Russia be trusted with "super" weapons when they are hiding attrocities going in Chechnya at this very moment. These nations need to recognise their alleged war on terror, political agendas and territorial disputes all have consequences, this usually comes in the form of human life. In this day and age, no modern government, especially as wealthy as Russia and the US should be allowed to do what they are doing.

dr k milleln adi, manchester, cheshire

I recall that Hitler used the people's resentment for the conquering nations of WW1 to fuel the mandate for WW2. Putin is doing the same thing here, fueled not only by resentment, but also centuries-old Russian paranoia. Here we go again.

Dan Sheppard, Providence, RI

Seems to me that Putin may be hinting at restoring Russia's military presence in Cuba and Vietnam. This shouldn't be too difficult or too expensive. Americans are busy extending their strategic missile defense capabilities and their defense budget is at its historical peak, accounting for more than half of the world's military spendings. Some 370,000 American troops - a third of the entire US Armed Forces - are deployed in nearly 130 countries. Seems to me that Russia has all reasons to be concerned.

Veniamin Nikolayev, Philadelphia, US

I suppose there is nothing wrong with a Russian arms build up as long as they focus on defensive weapons. It is the offensive weapons build up that has everyone worried.

J. Russell, Houston, TX

Sounds like a grumpy child who is sick of his older brothers and sisters taking all the toys during play time.

Boohoo, what did you expect would happen? The west would just sit there and let you control Eastern Europe when Russia had no mandate nor capacity to do so? I think not.

I would suggest Russia is at fault for the arms race. Putin is responsible for the increasingly confrontational rhetoric coming from Russia and is also responsible for heightened suspicion of Russian intentions. The West is merely installing defensive weaponry, while Russia continues to suggest it wishes to reclaim the lost Empire.

Adam Shamchuk, Edmonton, Canada

Go Mr. Putin!. I'm glad someone is stepping up to my self destructive country.

Tim, Chicago, IL, USA

Well at least the whole world isn't blind to Americas antics. Russia has my respect on this dispite my own government lying and sending us to war to fund america and its greed for oil. It has got to the stage where America is a threat to anyone who Has differences in culture.

Paul, Wolverhampton, England

I fully agree with Mr.Putin's views expressed.

Dr.Piskolti, Signy, Switzerland

"When I looked in this man's eyes, I saw three letters: K G B."

-John McCain

James Jones, Columbus, USA/ OHIO