NATO seeks Russian cooperation on Afghanistan

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says he has received positive signals but no concrete pledges yet on possible Russian help to the alliance's efforts in Afghanistan.

Rasmussen made the remarks during his first visit to Russia as NATO chief on Thursday.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, right, and Russian  President Dmitry Medvedev shake hands in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/ Sergei Karpuhin, pool)

Earlier on Wednesday,he told Russian leaders that it is in Russia's best interest to contribute more actively to NATO's mission in Afghanistan. He said that is because failure there would increase the terrorist threat throughout the region.

The NATO chief said Russia could help the alliance by providing helicopters and training to the Afghan air force and helping train Afghan police.