Russia's Kant Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation
Moscow Times/Eurasianet: Russia Shows Tentative Willingness to Let U.S. Use Central Asia Bases
The arrangement — reportedly aired at the Biden-Putin summit in Geneva — would involve U.S. forces using Russian bases in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for pre-coordinated operations in Afghanistan.
Russia has reportedly consented to allow the United States to use its bases in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for limited security operations in Afghanistan, according to a newspaper report over the weekend, although mutual suspicions may scupper any cooperation before it can begin.
The countries in question, meanwhile, are not known to have been consulted directly about the idea and have so far issued no public comment.
Kommersant daily newspaper on July 17 cited unnamed sources as saying that a proposal on how to utilize those facilities was aired during the June meeting in Geneva between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden.
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Update: Putin, Biden Reportedly Discussed Use of Russian Bases to Monitor Situation in Afghanistan (Spuntik)
WNU Editor: The official Kremlin line is that US bases are not wanted in central Asia. But there are growing concerns in Russia on what is happening in Afghanistan, and I would not be surprised if there may be a change in policy. Even China is now changing its tune .... China Criticized the Afghan War. Now It Worries About the Withdrawal (NYT).
