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Russian Diplomacy Anti-globalization hooligans weren't alone in throwing rocks ahead of tomorrow's G-8 summit in Germany. Vladimir Putin hurled the biggest, albeit rhetorical, stone. If America deploys antimissile defenses on the Continent, as planned, "we will have to get new targets in Europe," Mr. Putin told reporters from G-8 countries, including this newspaper. "Which weapons will be used . . . ballistic missiles, cruise missiles or some completely new systems -- that's a technical matter." So the Russian President decided to threaten the very heads of state he will sit down with this week. What will he say when he sees them: Angela, old pal, just a little Soviet bluster for old time's sake! In addition to issuing this nuclear threat, Mr. Putin made light of his crackdown on democracy at home as well as last November's poisoning death of Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko in London. "I am an absolute and pure democrat," he said, we presume ironically. Britain's request to extradite a former KGB agent to be tried in London for the Litvinenko murder is "just stupidity." The original G-7 countries are straining to divine the motivations behind Moscow's recently ratcheted-up nationalist bluster. Maybe Mr. Putin wants to shore up the Kremlin's hold on Russia less than a year before handpicking his successor. Or maybe he wants to intimidate the outside world into staying out of what he deems to be Russia's internal affairs. Or perhaps he wants to split the Europeans and carve out space for Russia in the old Soviet sphere of influence. Or . . . Better than try to read Mr. Putin's mind, the U.S. and its allies ought to make clear what's on theirs. The radar and 10 silos slated for construction in the Czech Republic and Poland are intended to protect against Iranian missiles and pose no threat to Russia. The defensive system is critical to our security. President Bush can do the winning side in the Cold War a big favor by not mincing words in Heiligendamm this week and at his get-together with Mr. Putin in Kennebunkport, Maine, next month. The Europeans can help by joining the U.S. in a united front by also speaking clearly. As members of the EU and NATO, both the Czech Republic and Poland now make their own choices, no matter how much that irks their erstwhile masters in Moscow. New leaders in Germany and France, previously ruled by Putin apologists, have for a change been standing up to the Kremlin bully. We hope they keep it up this week.
The Wall Street Journal
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