Russia is prepared to offer the US the use of its airspace for a "humanitarian" mission to Afghanistan, according to a senior politicians.
Mr Gennady Raikov, leader of the People's Deputies political grouping, was quoted as saying that Russia was ready to offer "air corridors" for humanitarian missions. He added that Moscow would "never" send soldiers into Afghanistan again.
Separately, the ITAR-TASS news agency quoted Union of Rightist Forces leader Mr Boris Nemtsov as saying that "Russia will never send its soldiers into Afghanistan, but the (air) corridors are open."
The two men had earlier held talks with President Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin press office refused to either confirm or deny that Mr Putin had made such remarks during the private meeting.
AFP