Policy shift raises E.U. hopes on Russia

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By Nicholas Kralev

DRESDEN, Germany | President Obama's decision to scrap a land-based missile-defense system has sent expectations soaring among U.S. allies in Europe of some sort of thaw in Russia's often chilly ties with the West.

Some such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke in general terms about a new era of cooperation with Russia. Others such as NATO's new secretary-general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, spoke of possible integration of Russian and NATO technology.

"We should explore the potential for linking the U.S., NATO and Russia missile-defense systems at an appropriate time," Mr. Rasmussen said. "Both NATO and Russia have a wealth of experience in missile defense. We should now work to combine this experience to our mutual benefit."

There was praise from Russia as well, as if the new American president had acquiesced to a long-sought demand by Moscow.

That left it to Mr. Obama himself to dampen expectations Sunday while appearing on the television talk show circuit.

"My task here was not to negotiate with the Russians," Mr. Obama told CBS News. "The Russians don't make determinations about what our defense posture is."

Since the U.S. announcement on Thursday, speculation gripped Europe over Mr. Obama's decision to replace a land-based anti-missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic aimed at long-range rockets with one initially based at sea and targeted at short-range missiles.

Europeans were hopeful that Russia would respond by supporting tougher sanctions against Iran and will not take advantage of the move to flex its influence in Eastern Europe.

So far, however, there is no little evidence of a seismic shift in relations between Washington and Moscow. Moscow did announce Saturday that it will not station short-range missiles near Poland -- a deployment that Russia had threatened if the U.S. went ahead with a land-based missile defense plan.

President Dmitry Medvedev chose to be positive and straightforward, calling Mr. Obama's decision to abandon sites in Poland and the Czech Republic a "responsible move."