WASHINGTON, March 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush, in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, insisted that a planned U.S. missile defense system in Europe is not against Russia but to defend threat from the Middle East threats.

    "President Bush emphasized that missile defenses in Europe are intended to protect against the evolving ballistic missile threat from the Middle East -- a threat that we share in common with Europe and Russia," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

    The two leaders discussed their differences over the missile defense plans in a "through and open" conversation, Johndroe said.

    The United States has claimed the missile defense system is aimed at states and groups in the Middle East that are seeking weapons of mass destruction.

    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. Russia has voiced opposition over the plan.