Russia may help US over Afghanistan

Lavrov said 'additional steps' were possible over the supply of weapons for US and Nato forces [AP] Russia will consider allowing the United States and Nato to ship weapons across the country to Afghanistan, its foreign minister has said. Speaking after a meeting with US diplomats, Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was "ready for the very closest and very widest co-operation on Afghanistan" , adding that relations with Nato needed to be repaired. Russia has previously allowed non-lethal supplies from European nations for Afghanistan to cross its territory, and recently said the US could follow suit. "Non-military transit has already been granted as part of our agreements with Nato, and the United States very recently received our agreement... for delivery of their cargoes for the needs of the international forces," Lavrov said. "Additional steps are also possible," he said in response to whether Russia would also agree to include weapons or other lethal cargo. "What's important is that relations between Russia and Nato return to a normal course," he said, in a reference to Western criticism of Russia's military actions in Georgia last year. Talks between Russia and Nato have resumed in recent weeks, after they were suspended in reponse to the war in Georgia. The Nato-led force in Afghanistan is seeking alternative transit routes into the country after an increase in attacks on supply lines in Pakistan.. Lavrov's comments also come after Kyrgyzstan announced it would close a key US air base on its territory, which was used to help supply operations in Afghanistan.