The chief of the Russian General staff expressed...

"Taking into account the present circumstances, this [the expansion of the U.S. anti-missile shield in Eastern Europe] has caused concern in the Russian government and Russian armed forces. We look at this negatively," General Nikolai Makarov said in what appeared to be the strongest reaction so far to the U.S. plans by a top Russian official.

The statement comes after the Bulgarian and Romanian leaders said they were in talks with Washington on hosting elements of the U.S. missile shield in their countries.

MOSCOW, February 17 (RIA Novosti)