Russia warns of U.S. missile shield

MOSCOW, July 15 (UPI) -- Deployment of a U.S. missile shield in Eastern Europe will harm rather than help regional security, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned.

Medvedev, speaking Tuesday, also said that Russia will respond to what it sees as a threat to its national security, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

"We firmly state: The deployment of elements of the United States' global missile defense in Eastern Europe will only aggravate the situation. We shall have to respond to this situation adequately. Our American and European partners have been warned," said Medvedev.

Promises from U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to let Russia monitor proposed U.S. missile and radar bases in Central Europe also didn't satisfy the Russian leader.

"Security cannot be based on word of honor alone," Medvedev said.