Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would have to take counter measures against a U.S.-planned missile defense system in Ukraine.

Putin made the remarks at his annual and maybe the last press conference before he steps down after a March 2 presidential election.

The United States has pledged to base missile interceptors in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic as part of a project to extend the missile defense system to Europe.

Putin strongly opposes the plan, saying it poses a threat to the security of Russia.

By fanning anti-Russian sentiments in Poland, it's easier to pass a decision on fielding missiles in that country. What should Russia do? In that event, one will have to re-target parts of our missile systems at the facilities which, as we believe, will be a threat to us.

Speaking after talks with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko last week, Putin said that in response to a possible deployment of elements of the planned U.S. missile shield in Ukraine, Russia would have to target its offensive rocket systems at Ukraine.