Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Thursday that Russia’s proposal to grant access for the US to a radar station in Azerbaijan would not solve the problem of defending Europe from an eventual long-range missile attack.

Gates said the Gabala radar station doesn’t have the same features as a defence system build by Americans in Central Europe, as the Azeri station can only detect missiles but can’t counterattack.

Gates’ unofficial opinion is shared by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer who said Moscow’s offer can’t replace a US base in Poland and the Czech Republic, even if it provides cover for countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey or Greece.

“I do not have the impression...that the offer by President Putin is going to replace or be an alternative for the bilateral negotiations going on between the US and Poland and the US and the Czech Republic,” the Dutch politician told media representatives.

These remarks come after President Vladimir Putin tried to ease tensions between Kremlin and Washington, proposing a solution to the long-disputed US defence system. Putin said he is willing to accept a joint use of the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan.

The Russian dignitary said the issue was already passed through Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, who gave his consent for the common use of the radar station that is currently in Russian possession, after Kremlin rented the facility.

NATO supports US’s bid and will even build a similar one that can provide protection for states in the Balkans area.

“It is important that Europe is not divided. We have an interest in creating a protection for our population in Europe as a whole,” Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence Franz Josef Jung motivated NATO’s plans.