October 17, 2007 (LPAC)--More reactions to and insight into the recent talks held between the U.S. and Russia on ballistic missile defense, indicate a bit of flexibility on both sides.

Interviewed by Iranian press Tuesday while in Tehran, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "...I must say that our latest meetings with our American partners show that it is possible for their views on this matter to undergo a certain transformation, and we will continue the dialogue."

It was previously reported that a "new" U.S. offer on the table was the sharing of early warning data and integration of U.S. and Russian early warning assets. To this proposal, Chief of Staff Gen. Yuri Baluyevksy told the press today that incorporating the Gabala and new Russian radar into the U.S. anti-ballistic missile system was unacceptable. However, Baluyevsky also said, in contradiction to what has been the Russian position, that there is "not any burning need for Russia to leave the [European Intermediate Nuclear Forces] Treaty." Although Russia does need missiles of this type, recent deployment of the Iskander-M short-range missile allows Russia to maintain strategic parity, without violating the provisions of the Treaty. The danger, he stated, is that breaking the Treaty could lead to "irreversible consequences," as other countries equip missiles with "high-precision and more exotic WMD."

Today in Washington, George W. Bush chose to put "U.S.-Russian agreement" aggressive terms: "if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing [Iran] from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapons." But U.S. representatives briefed NATO allies in Brussels on the BMD talks, with Russian Foreign Ministry Disarmament Director Anatoly Antonov and first deputy chief of staff of the Space Forces, Alexander Yakushin, also present, according to AP.

The Financial Times reports that Daniel Fried, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Europe, revealed at the NATO meeting, that a suggestion was made to President Putin last week that if the immediate nuclear weapon threat from Iran disappeared, the U.S. would continue to talk to Poland and the Czech Republic, "but we would not need to spend money ... for a threat that has been attenuated." President Putin was going to Tehran right after the meetings in Moscow, and apparently this U.S. offer was to encourage him to try to influence Tehran.