The US missile defence system that due to be built in Central Europe will create a chasm between Russia and the old continent, first deputy prime minister Sergei Ivanov warned.

Russia is a bitter opponent of US’ plans to deploy troops in Europe and tries to avoid this measure by pledging to cooperate with Washington over the controversial defence system.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a compromise solution in several rows, the joint use of a military base in Azerbaijan or other location on the globe. But no firm response came from Bush’s administration and this war of words between the two parties continues.

“This leads inescapably to an exchange of very sensitive military technology, for which Russia is ready,” Ivanov said, referring to a system used by both countries.

If such a solution is accepted, even through NATO or European Union as Putin proposed, diplomatic relations between Kremlin and Washington would certainly get a boost, but it seems the US is poised to build the system in Poland and the Czech Republic.