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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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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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(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
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.
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.
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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3 comments
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riffran
Jul 4, 09 5:31 AM CDT
I am not sure if we should be happy or scared....Russia?...hmmmmm?? Reply
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Reader64481089
Jul 4, 09 7:18 AM CDT
Personally I would worry, America helped Afghan beat Russia, it was the equivalent of Russia's Vietnam. Personally I think they know it is a huge money hole we will leave eventually causing an even greater strain on our economy and not one single thing will have been gained when it is done except for the loss of American troops and also $$ wasted. The Russians like watching us go down the tubes, always have and always will.
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Sauerkraut
Jul 4, 09 12:05 PM CDT
Putin is just another stereotypical evil genius. i mean the guy was in the KGB for christ sake. I can just see him sitting in a huge chair petting a white cat. Reply
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