Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, arrived in Moscow on Monday to hold meetings with Kremlin officials, including President Vladimir Putin, aimed at easing concerns about US plans to install a missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.

The visit comes as US-Russian relations have sunk to their lowest ebb since the collapse of the Soviet Union 15 years ago. In February, Mr Putin stunned an audience of security experts in Munich, which included Mr Gates, with a strong attack on US foreign policy.