Putin tells Poland and Romania: You’re in the CROSSHAIRS of Russian rockets for helping US

VLADIMIR Putin has put Poland and Romania "in the crosshairs" of Russian rockets, according to his latest aggressive outburst.

The Russian President's stark warning comes as both countries refuse to give in to his demands that they cease to host a US missile shield within their borders.

Moscow considers the high-tech missile shield a threat to its national security, but America claims it has been switched-on in Romania to protect against potential attacks from Iran — work is underway to turn on the shield in Poland as well.

The Russian President's stark warning comes as both countries refuse to give in to his demands that they cease to host a US missile shield within their borders.

Moscow considers the high-tech missile shield a threat to its national security, but America claims it has been switched-on in Romania to protect against potential attacks from Iran — work is underway to turn on the shield in Poland as well.

He said: "We won't take any action until we see rockets in areas that neighbour us."

Putin rubbished claims that the missile shield was designed to protect against Iran's nuclear programme and pointed out that the deadly weapons in the Eastern European countries could easily reach Russian cities.

He said: "How can that not create a threat for us?

"We've been repeating like a mantra that we will be forced to respond…Nobody wants to hear us. Nobody wants to conduct negotiations with us."

The aggressive comments come as tension remains high in nearby Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Putin claims he was acting on the will of the Crimean people, who voted to join Russia and leave Ukraine, but Western figureheads consider the Russian President's actions to be an illegal land grab.

Putin said: "As far as Crimea is concerned, we consider this question is closed forever.

"Russia will not conduct any discussions with anyone on this subject."