Nicolas Sarkozy © AFP Nicholas Kamm

Asked by reporters if he had discussed the topic with either the Russians or the Americans on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Washington, Sarkozy, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, said: "We spoke of it with the Russians," but not with US President George W. Bush.

"Each country has the right to decide whether or not to install an anti-missile shield," Sarkozy said, citing Poland and the Czech Republic.

"It can be the final measure, in face of the threat of missiles from outside, for example from Iran," he added.

At a EU-Russia summit on Friday, Sarkozy called on Washington to stop plans to deploy anti-missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic, and on Moscow not to put missiles into its enclave of Kaliningrad at least until 2009.

Poland and the Czech Republic reacted frostily to the comments.

"The question of the anti-missile shield is governed by an agreement between Poland and the United States. It is above all an American project," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters.

"I don't think that third countries, even such good friends as France, can have a particular right to express themselves on this issue."

The Czech Republic expressed surprise at Sarkozy's remarks on Friday and claimed he had overstepped his mandate by raising the US defense system.

The US plans to install a radar system in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland, but insists they are not directed against Russia.

Moscow has retaliated by announcing plans to deploy missiles in Kaliningrad, its enclave on the Baltic neighbouring NATO and EU members, Poland and Lithuania.