Ukraine interested in missile shield

KIEV, Ukraine, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Ukraine says it wants to join other European nations to establish a ballistic missile shield defense system.

Ukraine foreign ministry spokeswoman Liubov Abravitova didn't specify, however, if the country was referring to the same missile shield now being developed by the United States, Poland and the Czech Republic, CNN reported Saturday.

That effort has drawn sharp criticism from Russia, which believes the anti-missile system is aimed at diminishing Moscow's influence in Eastern Europe. The United States says the anti-missile defense is designed to counter missiles launched from "rogue states" such as Iran.

Ukraine's statement comes after its application to join NATO was tabled earlier this year in the face of strong resistance from Russia, CNN reported.