**Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen is seeking greater Russian assistance for the war in Afghanistan, on his first official trip to Moscow.**He said Nato and Russia must look beyond their differences and try to build “practical co-operation”.
Mr Rasmussen’s visit is the first by a Nato chief since relations chilled after last year’s Russian-Georgian war.
The three-day visit signifies the alliance’s determination to strengthen ties with Moscow, analysts suggest.
Mr Rasmussen will hold talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.
Seeking help
“Disagreements should not overshadow the fact that, basically, we share security interests in many areas because we are faced with the same threats,” Mr Rasmussen said on Wednesday.
But Russia still sees Nato as fundamentally an anti-Russian military alliance, says the BBC’s correspondent in Moscow, Rupert Wingfield-Hayes.
So Mr Rasmussen’s main focus will be a topic on which Russia and Nato can agree - Afghanistan.
During his visit, the Nato chief is expected to request more Russian help with the alliance’s military operations, particularly in the provision of military equipment such as Kalashnikov assault rifles to the emergent Afghan army.
There have also been reports in the Russian press that Nato is seeking an agreement to allow arms and ammunition to be transported through Russia to Afghanistan by train.
Until now, only non-lethal cargo has been allowed rail access, though a recent agreement allowed Nato to fly its equipment through Russian airspace.
The Kremlin says it wants Nato to win in Afghanistan and is willing to help. But so far its support has been largely rhetorical, says our correspondent.
And Moscow has drawn the line at sending troops to the country, where its forces spent a troubled 10 years before withdrawing in 1989.
Sensitive subject
Analysts say the atmosphere between the alliance and Moscow has improved recently. Earlier this month, the Nato-Russia Council convened for the first time since the Georgia conflict.
On this visit, there are expected to be discussions on missile defence, Iran, and on a joint review of new security challenges.
The expansion of Nato remains a sensitive issue between the two sides, with Russia firmly opposed to any move towards membership by Ukraine or Georgia.
Mr Rasmussen has previously said they would become Nato members as and when they satisfied the necessary criteria, but emphasised that Moscow should not see that as a threat.