U.S. Responds After Harsh Putin Criticism

MOSCOW — America and Russia were locked in a bitter war of words yesterday as officials reacted angrily to a speech by President Putin that represented the fiercest attack on American policy by a Russian leader since the Cold war.

"Today, we are witnessing an almost uncontained hyper-use of military force in international relations that is plunging the world into an abyss of permanent conflict," he said.

Defense Secretary Gates hit back yesterday, denouncing the Kremlin for selling arms to Iran and bullying its former Soviet neighbors.

Although Mr. Gates sought to cool some of the rhetoric by describing Russia as a "partner," he added, "We wonder, too, about some Russian policies that seem to work against international stability, such as its arms transfers."

While many of the assembled European politicians may have secretly agreed with Mr. Putin's feelings on America's invasion of Iraq, fear of Russia's democratic trajectory and growing energy might unite delegates in condemnation of the speech.