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Russia may allow shipment of Afghan-bound arms

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-11 22:16

MOSCOW -- Russia's foreign minister says that Moscow will consider allowing the US and NATO to ship weaponry across its territory to Afghanistan.

An Afghan policeman talks on his mobile phone at the site of a suicide attack in Kabul Wednesday February 11, 2009. Russia says that Moscow will consider allowing the US and NATO to ship weaponry across its territory to Afghanistan. [Agencies]

Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia was ready to take additional steps to help US and NATO forces get supplies to Afghanistan to deal with rising Taliban and al-Qaida violence.

He was asked whether Russia could allow weaponry in addition to non-lethal cargo.

He responded that "additional steps are also possible."

Moscow had previously agreed to allow delivery of non-lethal supplies across its territory. The Russian route has become increasingly important as insurgents intensify attacks on supply routes through Pakistan.