@ Pete, London
Boris, London here...

The missiles ARE defensive - they are missiles whose sole purpose is to shoot down other missiles. If nobody attacks then they'll never be used.

Boris, London,

matthew copen - would the US object if Russia set up 'defensive' missile systems in Mexico, Cuba, etc?
Marek- the missiles are not defensive - they are threat and by their nature an aggression against Russia and an isnult to Russia.
Russia will not continue to allow the US weapons to encircle it.

Pete, London, UK

Nato has now reached the end of its usefulness. The US will not go to war against Russia to defend Europe because that would involve their own self destruction. And the European countries, also have no intention of going to war with Russia,but join Nato hoping that the US will somehow protect them.

Davo, Auckland, New Zealand

What threat there is to Russia coming from defences in Poland? Only threath would come in case Russia decides to re-integrate Eastern Europe into its lawless block again.

We have had enough of that and who can blame Eastern Europe that it is doing everything it can to protect from Russia's whims

Marek, Bratislava, Slovakia

if russia is not up to something then why should they be scared?i am not but iam way over here my family came from scotland france germany .they were brave and noble the lord at their back sword in hand.what happend to that kind of leadership.defendn the weak &little guys kinda like poland is doin

matthew copen, elizabeth west virginia, united states

FSB Victor, Paranoia is a delusional state, there are no delusions in the ex captive nations regarding the intentions of their ex jailers.

Free ,democratic and freedom prizing states cherish the benefits of associating themselves with like minded EU countries so as to live in peace and harmony.

Dr Andris Lielmanis, Brampton, Canada.

FSB Victor, Paranoia is a delusional phenomenon, the ex captive nations harbour no delusions regarding Putin's Russia's intentions towards them. Appreciating the political freedom, peace and harmony that the EU union represents they are glad to have joined . Putin's bullying will only enlarge NATO.

Dr Andris Lielmanis, Brampton, Canada.

This is all just posturing from Russia. I sympathise with them in a way (just look at all of the blue NATO squares on the board surrounding them!). However, they really haven't done themselves any favours with these actions and their recent general posture towards the West.

Robin Laundon, Cambridge, UK

I'm just wondering why we ever needed all these new states in the EU and, moreover, rushed to embrace them and their self-opinionated, paranoid and problematic baggage from a (now) bygone era to boot - If they can't let go of the past!!!

Poland, Estonia and Lithuania, grow up!!!

Victor, Moscow,

Paul, probably never been to the Russian Paradise...lucky man. Worse than Russian hegemony is unknown. Fortunately they have never been able to impose it. Not even with Stalin.

They just made another mistake in invading fallaciously Georgia ! The US immediately signed the missile contracts !

E.Bee, Toulouse, France

Poland is an independent country and if it wants to place the missile battery/shield on its borders so it does. Russia, or people like you Paul, will keep whining but in fact can do nothing about it. And if you want to crush Poland, you will face a military confrontation with the NATO. Its not wise.

Matthias, Dublin, Ireland

I truly love Poland but I fully disagree with that choice. Europe should no more tolerate alien army forces on its soil and is nowadays strong enough to protect itself. Poland sold its soul for US $ and tech, it's a sad day for UE. I understand the worries of Russia, UE should be more worried too..

Charly, Basel, Switzerland

Bravo. Speaking of criminals, hit Russia's kleptocrats where it hurts: their offshore trading/siphoning companies and personal accounts. The Democrats have already signaled they'll go after Putin's stolen loot. Both Joe Biden (Obama's likely VP) and Brzezinski (Obama's adviser) are now urging this.

thibaud, Mockba-Babylon, Nigeria North

Everybody now talks about the Russian's invasion to Georgia. But nobody says that Georgia used to fight against the Russian civil citizens and peacekeepers in North Osetia. Actually, all the evil comes from the USA. It plays with Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Poland as if it's chess..

Sergey, Moscow, Russia

It is only up to Poland to decide what to do and who to stick with. It has suffered a lot from Germany and Russia so it has every right to look for alliances somewhere else. It is easy to look at this one-sidedly if you country has never seen Soviet threat.

Dan, London,

It's sad that Poland must seek alliances on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean to strengthen its security, but it is undoubtedly a wise decision since (please, no offence but that's true) other allies such as England or France have let us down in the past by not responding to German invasion.

Matt, Brighton, England

It is time for Russia to move out the black sea Navy from Ukraine to Kuba and call him The First Carribian Russian Navy and to plant the garden of "Topol-M" in jungle of Venisuela against Saakashvillis nuclear rockets )))

Sergei, Moscow, Russia

To Paul from Wolverhampton, England

We fought bravely for your country during the WWII. It is not fair to share such comments as you do. Are you a genuine Englishman or just a poor UK citizen?

Rafal, Lodz, Poland

Like now while they are at it with Georgia

Peter, New York, USa

paul,russia once did crush poland in league with nazis gemany,since when is defence against a former invader a breach of security?

lorne, derby, england

This should be considered as a direct threat to Russia and they should respond accordingly, as America did with cuba.
Russia is underestimated and the true war criminals (America) are becoming too complacent with their global stronghold.
Russia should crush Poland for the breach of security...

Paul, Wolverhampton, England