MOSCOW, September 7, 2008 (AFP) - The defence Moscow mounted during World War II should serve as a warning to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and the United States, Moscow's mayor said following last month's war in Georgia.

'In the tough times of war, Moscow's defence against the enemy was crushing,' Yury Luzhkov said during celebrations for the 861st anniversary of the founding of Moscow, standing alongside Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

'Let that be a stern and appropriate reminder to those who surround Russia with their missiles and bases. Let it be a warning to Saakashvili's regime,' Luzhkov said in televised comments, in reference to NATO and the United States.

Soviet forces stopped the Nazi advance during World War II just outside Moscow in 1941 and launched a counter-offensive. The Battle of Moscow is a symbol of Soviet resistance and a source of great pride among Russians.

Tensions between Russia and the West have soared since the Russia and Georgia fought a conflict last month over the separatist Moscow-backed Georgian province of South Ossetia, which Georgia tried to retake by force.

The United States is planning to set up a radar base in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland as part of a missile defence system against the danger of what it calls 'rogue states' such as Iran and North Korea.

Russia says the installations are in fact aimed at weakening its own missile complex and has vowed a tough response. Russia has also complained about the eastern enlargement of NATO to include ex-Soviet countries.