Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says Russia will aim missiles at U.S. anti-missile sites in eastern Europe if the United States does not heed Russian concerns about its missile defense plans.

Mr. Medvedev said in a televised statement Wednesday that Russia will deploy long-range missiles in the southern and western parts of the country if it fails to agree with the United States on its plans for an anti-missile shield.

The Russian president also said Moscow will consider backing out of the New Start disarmament agreement with Washington and other arms control dialogues if the two countries cannot reach an agreement. He also ordered the deployment of a radar missile warning system in the western city of Kaliningrad.

The United States wants to build a land- and sea-based missile defense system to protect NATO and its allies against a possible attack from Iran or North Korea. It insists the missile shield is purely defensive and not aimed at Russia or anyone else.

Russia has said that such a system would upset its own nuclear deterrent as well as the strategic weapons balance in Europe.