Putin says still opposed to US missile shield

VIENNA, May 23 (Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin said today consultations with Washington had failed to change Russia's opposition to US plans for a missile defence shield in eastern Europe ''As a result of those contacts we had with our American partners, there have been no changes in our position and there cannot be any as we have not heard anything new,'' Putin told a news conference during a visit to Austria.

''We believe it is an absolutely harmful thing,'' he said.

Russia says the missile shield threatens its national security and could upset the strategic balance in Europe.

US officials have staged a round of diplomatic contacts to try to soften Russian opposition to the project, which includes deploying elements of the shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Moscow for talks, briefing Russian officials on the plans and offering broad cooperation with Russia in strategic missile defence.

Putin said in Vienna the missile shield was ''not born out of necessity or the real situation, either in Europe or the world.'' ''What is happening in Europe that is so negative that we need to fill eastern Europe with new forms of weapons?'' he said.

''What has happened that has worsened the situation in Europe and demands such actions? Nothing.'' Reuters DS GC2009