They recognise that the drive for missile defence on the part of the US means that they need to expand their nuclear capabilities in order to stay in the same place.

他们认识到，美国方面推进导弹防御则意味着他们需要提高他们的核能力，以便能保持在同样的位置上。

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East Europeans are still smarting over Obama's decision to modify missile defence plans that the Russians found objectionable - which they interpreted as a weakening of us commitment.

东欧对奥巴马修改俄罗斯反对的导弹防御计划的决定仍然耿耿于怀——他们把这解读为美国承诺的弱化。

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Under Putin we have the row over US rockets in Europe - this time the Pentagon's plans to site missile defence interceptors and radar bases in Poland and the Czech Republic.

在普京时期，美国不停地在欧洲大量部署导弹——这次五角大楼计划在波兰和捷克部署防御拦截导弹和雷达。

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However, Nato's leader said Russia's alternative to the US missile defence shield had its weaknesses.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Nato wary on joint missile shield

Russia suspects the operation was a cover to test anti-satellite technology under the US missile defence programme.

BBC: The Pentagon used a missile to shoot down the satellite

Mr Obama said he would have more "flexibility" on difficult issues such as the US missile defence plans after November's election.

BBC: Obama and Medvedev caught in unguarded missile remarks