Germany's Schroeder slams U.S. missile shield plans

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Moscow sees the system as an encroachment on its former sphere of influence and an attempt to shift the post-Cold War balance of power. Germany has criticized the project's planners for failing to discuss it sufficiently with Russia.

Schroeder said the missile shield plan was pushing Russia further away from the West at a time when the European Union should be trying to strengthen ties with Moscow.

"What we need instead is the exact opposite. Out of our own interest we must align Russia as closely as possible to Europe and European structures," he said.

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