Putin repeats missile aim threat

Vladimir Putin repeated his threat to aim missiles at neighboring states if they site parts of the planned U.S. missile shield. The Russian president said the U.S. proposal to base interceptors in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic "threatens our national security". Putin repeats missile aim threat Putin said earlier this week Moscow might target Ukraine if it sited elements of such a system. The U.S. says it is designed to block any missiles from North Korea or Iran. But Putin reiterated Russian objections to the scheme during his annual news conference at the Kremlin. Russia's response would be to "retarget our missiles toward a system that we aren't creating", he was quoted by AP news agency as saying. "We are warning people ahead of time: if you take this step, then we will make this step." Russia holds presidential elections next month which are widely expected to be won by Putin's chosen successor, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Putin repeats missile aim threat

Putin said earlier this week Moscow might target Ukraine if it sited elements of such a system.

The U.S. says it is designed to block any missiles from North Korea or Iran.

But Putin reiterated Russian objections to the scheme during his annual news conference at the Kremlin.

Russia's response would be to "retarget our missiles toward a system that we aren't creating", he was quoted by AP news agency as saying.

"We are warning people ahead of time: if you take this step, then we will make this step."

Russia holds presidential elections next month which are widely expected to be won by Putin's chosen successor, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.