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Nato seeks Russia's Afghan help Nato seeks Russian helicopter aid
(about 5 hours later)
Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen is seeking greater Russian assistance for the war in Afghanistan, on his first official trip to Moscow. Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has asked Russia to provide helicopters to Afghanistan to help win the war against the Taliban insurgency.
He said Nato and Russia must look beyond their differences and try to build "practical co-operation". During talks in Moscow he also asked Russia to help train Afghan forces.
Russia said it would study the request. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov welcomed what he called a new "readiness for dialogue" between Russia and Nato.
Mr Rasmussen's visit is the first by a Nato chief since relations chilled after last year's Russian-Georgian war.Mr Rasmussen's visit is the first by a Nato chief since relations chilled after last year's Russian-Georgian war.
The three-day visit signifies the alliance's determination to strengthen ties with Moscow, analysts suggest. The three-day visit, including talks with President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, signifies the alliance's determination to strengthen ties with Moscow, analysts say.
Mr Rasmussen will hold talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. Common ground
Seeking help Mr Rasmussen said he had presented Russian leaders with a list of "concrete proposals" on helping Nato confront the Taliban insurgency.
"Disagreements should not overshadow the fact that, basically, we share security interests in many areas because we are faced with the same threats," Mr Rasmussen said on Wednesday. "I think Russia could contribute in a very concrete way by providing helicopters, helicopter training and spare parts," he said.
But Russia still sees Nato as fundamentally an anti-Russian military alliance, says the BBC's correspondent in Moscow, Rupert Wingfield-Hayes. Helicopters are considered a crucial asset in the war against the Taliban, for their ability to move troops around and provide air support. Nato allies have found a shortage of helicopters one of the main handicaps in fighting the insurgency.
So Mr Rasmussen's main focus will be a topic on which Russia and Nato can agree - Afghanistan. The Kremlin says it wants Nato to win in Afghanistan and is willing to help. But so far its support has been largely rhetorical, says the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow.
During his visit, the Nato chief is expected to request more Russian help with the alliance's military operations, particularly in the provision of military equipment such as Kalashnikov assault rifles to the emergent Afghan army. Russia still sees Nato as fundamentally an anti-Russian military alliance, our correspondent says.
There have also been reports in the Russian press that Nato is seeking an agreement to allow arms and ammunition to be transported through Russia to Afghanistan by train. So Mr Rasmussen's focus on Afghanistan is designed to find common ground.
Until now, only non-lethal cargo has been allowed rail access, though a recent agreement allowed Nato to fly its equipment through Russian airspace. "Disagreements should not overshadow the fact that, basically, we share security interests in many areas because we are faced with the same threats," Mr Rasmussen said before the talks on Wednesday.
The Kremlin says it wants Nato to win in Afghanistan and is willing to help. But so far its support has been largely rhetorical, says our correspondent. Mr Lavrov said that while they recognised there were differences between them, both sides were trying "to normalise relations and bring them to a new level".
And Moscow has drawn the line at sending troops to the country, where its forces spent a troubled 10 years before withdrawing in 1989.
Sensitive subjectSensitive subject
Analysts say the atmosphere between the alliance and Moscow has improved recently. Earlier this month, the Nato-Russia Council convened for the first time since the Georgia conflict.Analysts say the atmosphere between the alliance and Moscow has improved recently. Earlier this month, the Nato-Russia Council convened for the first time since the Georgia conflict.
On this visit, there are expected to be discussions on missile defence, Iran, and on a joint review of new security challenges. During this visit, discussions on missile defence, Iran and a joint review of new security challenges are expected to take place.
The expansion of Nato remains a sensitive issue between the two sides, with Russia firmly opposed to any move towards membership by Ukraine or Georgia.The expansion of Nato remains a sensitive issue between the two sides, with Russia firmly opposed to any move towards membership by Ukraine or Georgia.
Mr Rasmussen has previously said they would become Nato members as and when they satisfied the necessary criteria, but emphasised that Moscow should not see that as a threat.Mr Rasmussen has previously said they would become Nato members as and when they satisfied the necessary criteria, but emphasised that Moscow should not see that as a threat.