Differences between Moscow and the European Union stayed apparent Wednesday as Russian President Vladimir Putin showed no sign at the start of a Vienna visit of easing his opposition to US plans for setting up a missile defence shield in Central Europe, DPA reported. Speaking to the press after meeting with his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer, Putin also showed no change over questions of Russian import bans of Polish beef or the future status of the breakaway Serbian province Kosovo. Russia rejects plans by UN special envoy Martti Ahtissari for internationally monitored independence for Kosovo. An EU-Russian summit in Samara last week failed to ease tensions between the two powers. Putin, who is accompanied by a large business delegation, was to remain in the Austrian capital until Thursday morning.
