U.S. can ship weapons through Russia to Afghanistan

By Nataliya Vasilyeva

The Associated Press

MOSCOW

Russia said Friday it will allow the United States to ship weapons across its territory to Afghanistan, a long-sought move that bolsters U.S. military operations but potentially gives the Kremlin leverage over critical American supplies.

The announcement by a top Kremlin aide came ahead of President Barack Obama's visit to Moscow next week, when the deal is expected to be signed during a summit aimed at improving the nations' strained relations.

Russia has been allowing the United States to ship non-lethal supplies across its territory for operations in Afghanistan, and Kremlin officials had suggested further cooperation was likely.

Kremlin foreign policy adviser Sergei Prikhodko told reporters Friday that the expected deal would enable the United States to ship lethal cargo and would include shipments by air and land.

He said it was unclear whether U.S. soldiers or other personnel would be permitted to travel through Russian territory or air space.

"They haven't asked us for it," he said.

The normal supply route to landlocked Afghanistan via Pakistan has come under repeated Taliban attack, and the United States and NATO have been eager to have an alternate overland supply route through Russia and the Central Asian countries.

Confirmation of such a deal appeared aimed at setting a constructive tone for the meetings between Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday and Tuesday. After years of increasing strain, both governments have expressed hope the summit will put ties between the former Cold War rivals back on track.

While Russia has stressed a willingness to work with the West to bring stability to Afghanistan, it has shown that it can use its clout in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia to hobble U.S. efforts.

Russia was seen as the instigator of Kyrgyzstan's decision earlier this year to evict the United States from an air base used to ship military hardware and troops to Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan reversed its decision only after the United States agreed to pay three times the price.

No comment was immediately available from the Pentagon on Friday, a federal holiday.

The expected deal would be the first time Russia has allowed U.S. military shipments through its territory during the Afghan campaign, said Fyodor Lukyanov, editor of Russia in Global Affairs magazine.

"This may actually be the first time they will do this since World War II," he said.