It is too early yet to speak of Ukraine's participation in building the European missile defense system, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Ukraine's Channel 5.

Kiev and NATO discussed Ukraine's possible contribution to the effort on February 24. The sides discussed the possibility of launching expert consultations on the issue.

"I have taken into consideration that Ukraine is interested in such cooperation," Rasmussen said then after talks with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Hryshchenko.

Rasmussen said Russia has also been invited to cooperate in the creation of the European missile defense system.

Moscow insists on setting up a joint European missile defense network with NATO, while the alliance favors two separate systems that would exchange information.