Moscow ? The U.S. national security adviser sought Thursday to ease Russian concerns about American intentions, saying he did not consider a fiery speech by President Vladimir Putin to have been a sign of confrontation, and reiterating reassurances about U.S. missile defense plans.

Washington and Moscow have been trading heated criticism on issues including U.S. plans to deploy elements of a national missile defense system in former Soviet satellites in Europe.

At a security conference this month in Germany, Putin said the United States “has overstepped its national borders in every way” and is fostering a global arms race.

U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley played down speculation that the remarks heralded a return to Cold War-style confrontation.