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Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO’s Secretary General, will be in Russia today to discuss the former Soviet Union’s support for the war in Afghanistan, missile defense, and other topics.

NATO is trying to re-establish relations with Russia after criticizing the country for invading Georgia. Dmitry Rogozin, Russia’s NATO envoy, said earlier this month he hopes the renewed ties will pave the way for a new Euro-Atlantic security treaty in the joint NATO-Russia Council.

Andrew Monaghan, an analyst at the NATO Defense College in Rome, is cynical. “It’s very important that Rasmussen goes there and meets people and I am quite sure there will be something that can be brought back. But really, in terms of turning the relationship around, I think it’s unlikely.”

Russia says it supports the war in Afghanistan, but won’t send troops. Some believe Russia’s support is “lukewarm,” similar to its attitude about Iran. Russia has refused to issue tougher sanctions against the rogue state.

“NATO is defending Russia’s national security interests in Afghanistan … There is an understanding in the Kremlin that it is not in our interests to have NATO failing in Afghanistan,” said Tatiana Parkhalina, director of the Center for European Security in Moscow.

If Russia’s able to play hard ball with the U.S. and win, especially without giving up anything in return, there seems to be little incentive for Russia to make nice with NATO.

(Source: Reuters)