U.S., Russia Plan Significant Missile Defense Negotiations

The United States and Russia will soon hold important negotiations about the United States' ballistic missile defense (BMD) plans for Central Europe. The BMD issue has come to serve as an indicator of the current and near-term status of the relationship between Moscow and Washington. The outcome of the talks will indicate whether or not Washington is willing to acquiesce to Russia's wishes. The Central Europeans will watch the negotiations carefully, as they want a strong U.S. security presence in their region to guard against a resurging Russia.