MOSCOW, September 25 (RIA Novosti) – The cooperation of Russia and NATO in Afghanistan has been halted, including a helicopter project, Russia’s envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
"NATO has walked away from these projects and adheres to this decision," Grushko said, specifying that the helicopter project was also halted.
The United States sanctions, previously imposed on Russia did not affect the supply of Russian helicopters to Afghanistan.
Russia previously signed three contracts with the Pentagon for the supply of over 70 Mi-17 helicopters to the Afghan army.
The first contract for the supply of 21 helicopters was signed by Rosoboronexport and the American Government on May 26 2011 and has already been implemented.
In 2013, Russia completed the delivery of 12 Mi-17 under a 2012 option. That same year Rosoboronexport entered into another agreement for the supply of a batch of 30 helicopters.
Russia supplies spare parts for helicopters to the Afghan army and trains specialists on helicopters maintenance at a training center based at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Repair Plant.
Afghan anti-drug agencies’ specialists are also trained in Russia.
In early April, foreign ministers of NATO ceased practical civil and military cooperation with Russia because of Crimea's reunification with Russia. In June ministers extended their decision.
