23rd July 2001


Russia and the US to discuss 'star wars'

When he took office, George Bush gave the impression that he'd push ahead with missile defence, come what may. If that meant breaking the ABM treaty, too bad, though it would of course be better to revise the treaty with Russia's agreement.

At the same time, Mr Bush wanted to make further cuts in America's arsenal of strategic nuclear weapons, and those would be unilateral: there was no need for a new formal treaty with the Russians. Now though, after breaking the ice with Mr Putin at a meeting in Slovenia last month, Mr Bush has agreed that the two issues, both offensive and defensive systems, go hand in hand.

took office - when someone takes office they are elected or appointed to an important position

push ahead - make progress with something

come what may - if you plan to do something 'come what may', you are determined to do it, despite any objections or criticisms from other people

arsenal - all the weapons and military equipment a group or country has

unilateral - a unilateral action or decision is done or made by only one of the groups involved in a situation

breaking the ice - if you break the ice with another person, you begin to feel relaxed or comfortable with them

go hand in hand - two things that go hand in hand with each other are closely connected and cannot be considered separately from each other

Mr Putin emphasised the same point repeatedly, that they would be discussed as a set. He said revealingly that the understanding with the Americans on this point was unexpected, and it certainly seems that Mr Bush has given ground.

If a deal is made, it will of course benefit Mr Bush too. European objections to missile defence are likely to evaporate if the Russians give their consent. That would leave the Chinese on their own. They fear that even limited missile defences would dent the credibility of their own small nuclear deterrent.

given ground - if you give ground during a discussion or argument, you change your mind and accept the other person's point of view

evaporate - disappear, go away

dent the credibility - if the credibility of something is dented, then it seems less good or less successful than you thought