NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen used a visit to Moscow Wednesday to urge Russia to cooperate with missile defence plans, DPA reported.
Rasmussen said cooperation in a shared defence system would "send a huge political signal" in an interview with the Interfax news agency.
Such a joint endeavour would be a reorientation of their relations, Rasmussen said ahead of meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Medvedev is to attend as a guest this month's Lisbon summit of NATO.
Rasmussen also stressed greater cooperation with Moscow over Afghanistan, where Russia is now permitting further transportation through its terrority to supply NATO troops, but Rasmussen is seeking an extension to the existing agreement.
NATO also want Russia to contribute to anti-drug efforts in Afghanistan.
Last week a joint operation by US and Russian special forces destroyed four drugs laboratories in Afghanistan.