US, Russia clash over missile shield for Europe

MOSCOW: Russia rebuffed on Monday an attempt by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates to soften opposition to Washington's plan for a missile defence shield in Europe, saying it threatens global security.

Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov told Gates in Moscow that the planned system "is a seriously destabilising factor that can have a significant influence on regional and global security."

Gates, who also met with President Vladimir Putin, came to Moscow reiterating Pentagon reassurances that the anti-missile shield would not be aimed at Russia and also holding out offers of cooperation.

"In my talks with the Russian leaders we'll reiterate that the United States is willing to explore cooperation with Russia across the full spectrum of missile defence activities," he said.

Gates told Serdyukov that he wanted "to see how we can more positively develop our military-to-military relationship."

However, there was little sign of progress in easing Moscow's opposition.

"I would like to underline the point that the Russian position with respect to this issue remains unchanged," Serdyukov said.

The Pentagon wants to station 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a targeting radar in the Czech Republic, countries that lie close to Russian territory and during the Cold War were under Moscow's control.

Russia, increasingly emboldened by new oil wealth, fiercely opposes the plans, regarding them as encroaching into Moscow's traditional sphere of influence.