Kremlin officials say that they do not want the issue to dominate the summit, and, in an apparent effort to stop the occasion disintegrating into a row over missile defence, Western capitals gave only a muted response to Putin's stark warning, of re-targeting Russia's nuclear weapons at Europe.
Many analysts have said that it was intended largely for Russian consumption and fits well with the hawkish mood of its powerful security establishment.
But ignoring Putin's warning will prove difficult for other G8 leaders.
The missile shield is only one of several contentious issues that could dominate proceedings when Putin meets US President George W. Bush, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and the other G8 leaders at Heiligendamm.
Russia opposes Western plans to give Kosovo effective independence from Serbia. Putin is indignant about European allegations that he is rolling back democracy. And Russia is feuding with Britain over the murder of Russian emigre Alexander Litvinenko.
Other G8 countries have stated that they will challenge Putin on the issue on the summit's sidelines.
But there are reasons why the differences between Russia and the West could stay in the background at Heiligendamm.
Putin is expected to meet Bush at his family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, early next month. The two are still likely to have a face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the summit, but they may save the hard talking about the missile shield for later.
On Kosovo, the US has said that it wanted a resolution on the province's future put to a vote in the UN Security Council this week, just as the G8 leaders are meeting. Russia hinted it could use its veto. But, with no date set for a vote, that flare-up may be averted, at least this week.
