NATO Expected To Move Toward Normal Russia Ties

NATO ministers are expected to act to get business with Russia back on to a normal track this week when they discuss the troubled Afghan operation on Hillary Clinton's first visit to Europe as U.S. secretary of state.

The Bush administration spearheaded NATO's suspension of formal dialogue with Russia after Moscow's incursion into Georgia last August, but President Barack Obama's White House has made it clear it wants to turn a new page with Moscow.

U.S. officials are now emphasising shared interests with Moscow, including the struggle against Islamist militancy in Afghanistan and elsewhere, and concerns about Iran's nuclear plans.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden flagged a change of tack last month, saying it was time to hit the "reset" button to halt the slide in relations with Russia.

NATO already announced a gradual reengagement with Moscow in December after EU states stressed the importance of cooperation.

Diplomatic and political contacts have taken place informally, but Russia has pushed for a resumption of meetings of the NATO-Russia Council, the body that directs formal business within the relationship.

The 26 NATO foreign ministers would decide on this when they meet in Brussels on Thursday, NATO diplomats said.

"If all agree it should happen then it will happen," one said. "My sense is that it probably will."

Another said all were agreed. "They will announce the renewal of formal relations with Russia," he said. "What was decisive was the change of position of the U.S. adminstration."

Russia set the tone by allowing this week a supply cargo for U.S. forces in Afghanistan through its territory.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday there had been positive signals from the United States over the divisive issue of missile defence and Moscow would be willing to discuss a new structure with the United States.

Russia vehemently opposes deployment of the missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic and has been angered by NATO promises of membership to former Georgia and Ukraine.

"MINDFUL OF DIFFERENCES"

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said the desire to rebuild ties did not mean the United States was burying its problems with Moscow.

Biden said in his speech in Munich that Washington would not recognise Russian spheres of influence, or independence of Russian-backed breakaway Georgian regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. He also said European countries had a right to seek membership in alliances such as NATO.

Fried said U.S. policy was to look at best ways to cooperate with Russia "but also mindful of our differences, not shying away from them nor abandoning our values and our friends".

Clinton is due to travel from Brussels to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Friday.

U.S. officials said she would brief NATO allies and seek their input on a U.S. review of policy in Afghanistan, where international forces are struggling to contain a worsening insurgency more than seven years after overthrowing the Taliban.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has caused alarm by calling for a presidential election in April, months earlier than planned, prompting U.S. and NATO warnings that this would make it more difficult to protect the vote from militant violence.

Obama has ordered 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan to try to secure an August poll, but these were not due to arrive until July. NATO diplomats said it would be impossible to deploy reinforcements expected from other NATO states in time.

Further instability could make it harder for Washington to persuade reluctant allies to boost troop numbers and other aid.