U.S., Czech Republic sign missile defense agreement

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC —  The United States signed a pact Tuesday to build part of a U.S. missile defense shield in this former Soviet satellite, prompting Russia to warn that it will react with military means if the shield is deployed.

The U.S. and Czech foreign ministers toasted with champagne after signing the accord to place a tracking radar southwest of Prague as part of a system to protect against attack from countries such as Iran.

But Russia warned the U.S. against deploying the shield.

“If the real deployment of an American strategic missile defense shield begins close to our borders, then we will be forced to react not with diplomatic methods, but with military-technical methods,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It did not give specifics, but analysts said the threat appeared aimed at stoking European opposition to the shield.

In response, the Pentagon accused Moscow of trying to spook Washington’s European allies. “I can only assume Russia’s bellicose rhetoric is designed to make Europeans nervous about participating in this system, but that won’t work,” Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.