U.S. to use Russian air base for Afghanistan transit - Lavrov

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian foreign minister says a new deal allowing the United States to use a Russian air base for transit of troops and military cargo to Afghanistan will help ensure Russia's own security.

According to AP, Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday, March 14 that the agreement permitting the U.S. to use the air base in the city of Ulyanovsk on the Volga River would soon be considered by the Russian Cabinet.

Moscow has earlier provided the U.S. and other NATO nations with air corridors and railway routes for carrying supplies to and from Afghanistan. The new deal will for the first time allow the U.S. to set up a logistics facility for troops and cargo on the Russian territory.

Lavrov strongly defended the deal, saying that the success of NATO's mission in Afghanistan is good for Russia's national interests.