Russia Agrees to Let US Use Airspace for Afghan War

Deal on supply lines forged ahead of Obama's Russian visit

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 4, 2009 5:03 AM CDT

(Newser) – Russia has agreed to let American planes transporting troops and equipment to Afghanistan fly over its airspace, the BBC reports. The deal will be officially announced next week when President Obama visits Moscow. Volatility affecting supply lines through Pakistan and Central Asia made securing such an agreement one of Obama's key prorities ahead of his upcoming Russian visit.

Negotiators are still trying to hash out US-Russian agreements on trade and nuclear disarmament. Joe Biden will visit Georgia and Ukraine after the summit to signal that the US doesn't plan to abandon them. "We’re not going to reassure or give or trade anything with the Russians regarding NATO expansion or missile defense," Obama's top Russia adviser says.

Presidents Obama and Medvedev will sign a " joint agreement on military transit to Afghanistan" next week, according to Medvedev's top foreign policy adviser. (AP Photo/Azamat Imanaliev)

U Ssoldiers are seen near a US. air force plane on the runway at the main US air base in Bagram, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)

Russian traditional wooden dolls depicting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and President Barack Obama, are displayed by a street vendor in St. Petersburg, Russia. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

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Russia Agrees to Let US Use Airspace for Afghan War

Deal on supply lines forged ahead of Obama's Russian visit

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US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Hatred Fueling Afghan Army Attacks on Allied Troops

Mutual contempt behind most attacks on NATO troops from within: report

Marines in Urination Video ID'd

Hillary Clinton calls incident possible war crime

Medvedev Rips 'Provocateurs, Extremists'

President offers some reforms, but opposition says not enough

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Russia Agrees to Let US Use Airspace for Afghan War

Deal on supply lines forged ahead of Obama's Russian visit

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • Russia • Vladimir Putin • US military • nuclear disarmament • Dmitry Medvedev • Afghanistan war • President Obama • supply route

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Hatred Fueling Afghan Army Attacks on Allied Troops

Mutual contempt behind most attacks on NATO troops from within: report

Marines in Urination Video ID'd

Hillary Clinton calls incident possible war crime

Medvedev Rips 'Provocateurs, Extremists'

President offers some reforms, but opposition says not enough

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