NATO chief calls on Russia to bolster Afghanistan support

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called on Russia to provide extra material support and financing for the war in Afghanistan.

"We are looking at ways to step up co-operation with Russia in Afghanistan," Rasmussen told reporters in Brussels on 7 October. He said he will travel to Moscow in December to meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and that this and other areas of potential co-operation would be discussed.

Moscow allows limited movements of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) materiel across its territory for onward transit across southern Central Asian countries into Afghanistan. Asked what type of additional assistance could be provided, Rasmussen said: "Russia already provides transit and this could be expanded. Next, Russia could provide equipment for the Afghan security forces. And it could provide training to them.

"We need to explore how we could do this. I know from the Russians that they are interested in a stronger engagement [in Afghanistan], and we have to find the means. Afghanistan is one of the main areas where we share interests with Russia."

Noting that NATO's problems in fighting the Taliban are heavily grounded in the availability of financial resources, Rasmussen called on European NATO members to boost their financial contribution to the war effort.