Russia’s Medvedev intends to throw Afghan loop on Obama’s neck in London

Presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama can sign their first joint agreement on April 1. The two presidents will meet each other in London today within the scope of the G20 summit. Russia and the USA may sign the agreement about the transit of US military cargoes to Afghanistan via Russia or negotiate a possibility of such an agreement in the nearest future.

Photo: Russia’s Medvedev intends to throw Afghan loop on Obama’s neck in London

Russia’s Medvedev intends to throw Afghan loop on Obama’s neck in London

Barack Obama landed in London before Medvedev. It became Obama’s first major foreign trip after his inauguration. He will visit five European countries in eight days. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Obama would like to have productive relations with Russia.

Russia is ready to cooperate with the United States. Dmitry Medvedev’s article, which was published on The Washington Post said that neither Russia nor the United States could tolerate the inaction and indifference in their relations anymore. The Russian president believes that Washington and Moscow need first to agree upon the fact that they could overcome the negative legacy in their relations only if they would be able to conduct even and mutually beneficial dialogue. Medvedev also set out a hope that he would start working with Obama already during the G20 summit.

Russia intends to use the London meeting to the maximum to solve its foreign political problems.

As for the possible agreement to transit military cargoes to Afghanistan via Russia, the USA previously used their Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan for the purpose. The republic decided to close the base in February this year, although it does not stop Washington from increasing the military contingent in Afghanistan.

Moscow offered its help in the organization of military transits against such a background.

“We are not allergic to the transit of US military cargoes. We are ready to sign a separate agreement on the subject,” a source from the administration of the Russian president said. In addition to air routes, Russia would be ready to offer Washington the ground transportation, the source added.

If the US administration OKs the proposals, Russia would become completely in charge of the US transit to Afghanistan. It will nullify any other attempts of the United States to find alternative partners in Central Asia.

Dmitry Medvedev will also meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Chinese leader Hu Jintao and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during the G20 summit.