Russia lets U.S. fly troops, weapons to Afghanistan

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Monday agreed to let the United States fly troops and weapons across its territory to Afghanistan, a move hailed by Washington as a valuable contribution toward helping U.S. forces fighting the Taliban.

The pact, agreed after talks in the Kremlin between visiting U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev, allows 4,500 U.S. military flights annually over Russia at no extra charge, a U.S. official said.

"This agreement will enable the United States to further diversify the crucial transportation routes used to move troops and critical equipment to resupply international forces in Afghanistan," the White House said in a statement.

"By providing access to these transit routes, the Russian Federation is enabling a substantial increase in the efficiency of our common effort to defeat the forces of violent extremism in Afghanistan and to ensure Afghanistan's and the broader region's security," the statement said.

The new transit routes are important for the United States as existing troop supply routes through Pakistan have been attacked by militants.

The Russian routes would save the United States up to $133 million annually in fuel and other costs, the White House said.

The agreement will be valid for one year with unlimited automatic extensions if both sides agree, a U.S. official said, adding the pact required ratification by the Russian parliament.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason, writing by Guy Faulconbridge, editing by Michael Stott)