AFP - Russia could base missiles in its western exclave Kaliningrad if new threats emerge, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said Friday, amid growing controversy over a new US missile shield plan.

"If there is no additional threat to Russia's security then we will not base Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad," Russian news agencies quoted Serdyukov as saying on a visit to Finland.

"But if an additional threat appears, then the Iskanders will be based there. In any case, the decision will be taken by the (Russian) president," Serdyukov added.

Russia in September said it scrapped plans to place the short-range Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad -- which borders the European Union -- after the United States shelved a controversial missile shield plan for Central Europe.

But it expressed concern after Romania said this month it would hold talks with Washington on hosting US missile interceptors and Bulgaria showed an interest in taking part in a US missile shield.