(RIA Novosti) - "Venezuela supports Russia's opposition to the deployment of a US missile shield in Europe, President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela said.

The US proposed deploying 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a missile defence radar in the Czech Republic last January, as part of a proposed missile shield designed to counter alleged threats from 'rogue states' such as Iran and North Korea.

Russia, infuriated by the idea of a US missile shield on the territories of its former ally states, has repeatedly condemned the plan, claiming that it could be a 'destabilizing factor' and threaten Russia's national security. Moscow warned the West that 'appropriate measures' would be taken in response.

'We support Russia (in its stance), we need Russia, which is becoming stronger day by day,' he said, adding that Venezuela intended to continue cooperating closely with Moscow, including in the military sphere".