Moscow, July 03: Russia will allow the U.S. to ship weapons across its territory to Afghanistan, a top Kremlin aide said today in a gesture aimed at bolstering U.S. military operations and improving strained ties between Washington and Moscow.
The deal is expected to be signed during President Barack Obama’s visit to Moscow next week, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Sergei Prikhodko said.
Russia has been allowing the U.S. to ship non-lethal supplies across its territory for operations in Afghanistan and Kremlin officials had suggested further cooperation was likely.
Prikhodko told reporters that the expected deal would enable the U.S. to ship lethal cargo and would include shipments by air and land.
He said it was unclear if U.S. soldiers or other personnel would be permitted to travel through Russian territory or airspace.
“They haven’t asked us for it,’ he said.
–PTI