Russia remains opposed to missile shield

WASHINGTON, July 30 (UPI) -- U.S. officials are to consider Russian alternatives to building a missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, it was reported.

Russian ministers and their U.S. counterparts were to meet Monday in Washington in the first of several meetings planned to discuss Russian opposition to a European missile shield, RIA Novosti reported.

Russia, which considers the shield a threat to its security, wants the United States to scrap its plan in favor of using Russia's Gabala radar in Azerbaijan and building a radar facility in South Russia's Krasnodar Territory, RIA Novosti reported .

White House officials have said they will proceed with plans for the European shield while considering the Russian alternatives.