Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday condemned the U.S. missile defense system in eastern Europe as "fatal, harmful and groundless" during his visit to Austria.

Putin said at the joint press conference with Austrian President Heinz Fischer that the U.S. missile defense system in Europe was counterproductive, and would not lead to anything but a new spiral in the arms race.

"What is happening in Europe? Why the U.S. missile defense system must be deployed in Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Poland ?" Putin said.

"The U.S. said that this system is deployed to defend the threat from Iran, but the scope of Iran's missile could not reach Europe," he said.

The president said Moscow and Washington should hold practical discussions on the basis of experts' advice about the necessity of the U.S. missile defense system in Europe.

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

"I don't think we have particular problems with the EU," Putin said, adding that Russia has always had difficulties with its immediate neighbors and that the past -- the Soviet Union -- was to blame.

With the EU expansion, Putin said problems between Russia and some of its neighbors had become issues on the European level, but it didn't contribute to the settlement of some problems.

The EU and Russia should handle the problems "with patience and mutual respect" and "Austria could play an important intermediary role," Putin said.

Fischer said, "the Austrian position on the European security issues is -- the most possible security on the least arming level."

He also noted the necessity of the dialogue to solve the pendent problems between the EU and Russia. He added that Austria was "a responsible member" of the EU, and would not be divorced from the EU principles.

Putin visited Austria on May 23. During the visit, Putin and Austrian politicians discussed issues about the relation between the EU and Russia, the Kosovo issues and economic cooperation between the two countries.