MOSCOW. Feb 12 (Interfax) - Russia is not going to hinder Ukraine from building its relations with NATO, but Ukraine could face negative consequences if it hosts NATO infrastructure on its territory, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"It is horrible to say and even horrible to think that, in response to the deployment of such facilities in Ukrainian territory, which cannot theoretically be ruled out, Russia could target its missile systems at Ukraine. Imagine this just for a second. This is what worries us," Putin told journalists on Tuesday.

This is exactly why Russia is concerned about Ukraine's plans to join NATO, he stressed.

The deployment of U.S. missile defense elements in Eastern Europe would leave Russia no other choice but make retaliatory steps, Putin said.

"The deployment of (NATO) bases or missile defense facilities, which, if deployed in Eastern Europe, we believe would be aimed at neutralizing our nuclear missile potential, will force Russia to take certain steps in response," Putin said at a press conference following his talks with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.

However, Russia is not going to interfere in Ukraine's decisions regarding its security, Putin said. "We have no right (to do this) and will not interfere in this process," he said.

As regards Russia, it has no plans to join NATO, Putin said.

"We have never planned to join NATO, because accession to such a block means limiting a country's sovereignty," Putin said.

On the other hand, Russia wishes to build friendly relations with all countries and organizations, including NATO, he said.

Ukrainian President Yushchenko said his country's steps toward expanding its cooperation with NATO are not aimed against any third country.

"After all, anything Ukraine is doing in the western direction is on no account aimed against some third country, not to mention Russia," Yushchenko said.

Ukraine and Russia agreed at negotiations in Moscow earlier on Tuesday to hold consultations on these issues "to better hear each other and find ways to improve mutual understanding," he said.