If America sites a missile defence base in Poland (next door to Russia), why should Russia not site a missile base next door to Poland? if I were Russia, with large gas reserves in Siberia, I would get nervous about any foreign missile base in the vicinity of my gas fields. Further, if you do not pay your gas bill, the gas gets cut ff. That much should be obvious to everyone. If Ukraine does not pay it's gas bill, the supply will be cut off. The reasons behind that are purely economic. Since the UK began the production of hydrocarbons from UKCS North Sea, how much of the UK's 'new wealth' was spent on it's military/ air force/ navy?

Gerry, Kassel, Germany

Russia's military expenses are accounting steadily for 3-4% (according to various estimates) of GDP, in absolute terms this figure has skyrocketed 4-6 times compared to the beginning of this decade. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia, which spent $34.7 bln on its defense in 2006, is in seventh place in the world. The United States is the first on the list with $529 bln or 46% of global military expenses. The figures speak for themselves.

Finamrus, N.Novgorod,

The reasons behind this are political ones. While Viktor Yanukovich was prime minister, Russia muted about Gazprom debts. In fact, always when an Orange coalition governs Ukraine, Russia bullies the former colon… ops, Soviet Socialist Republic, without mercy.

Edward Luccas ( http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article3308261.ece ) is right.

M., Sao paulo, Brazil