NATO Afghan supplies crossing Russia soon

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The transit via Russia of non-military supplies for NATO forces fighting in Afghanistan will start within days, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying by RIA news agency on Friday.

The United States wants Russia to provide it with transit routes to supply NATO-led forces fighting Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, particularly after militants attacked truck convoys on a supply route through Pakistan.

"We quickly confirmed that we are ready to do this as it fully conforms with the agreements that have been made with NATO, and literally within days such a transit will take place," Lavrov was quoted as saying.

In Washington, a State Department spokesman said the development would help U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.

"If the reports are true then that is to be welcomed. This is a good move and something we have been wanting to work with the Russians on," said spokesman Gordon Duguid.

Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow was also considering offering military transport aircraft to help supply NATO soldiers in Afghanistan, in an overture to a new U.S. administration that it hopes will be more receptive to its demands.

The Kremlin has said it is looking for a fresh start in relations under U.S. President Barack Obama, and will be seeking concessions from him over missile defence plans that Moscow says are a threat to its security.

Kyrgyzstan, a recipient of Russian financial assistance, has said it will evict U.S. forces from its Manas airbase, another staging post for U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Sue Plemming in Washington; Editing by Richard Balmforth)