Putin says Russia ready to supply additional oil
( 2001-09-27 11:35 ) (7 )

Russia is ready to supply additional oil in the event of a US military intervention in Afghanistan, said Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

"I say to you very clearly that in the event of a conflict we are ready to supply additional oil," Putin said during a meeting in the western German city of Essen on the second day of an official visit to Germany.

Speculation is growing that a possible US-led military strike is being prepared following the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Cooperation between Russia and NATO on ways to combat terrorism has reached new levels in the wake of the attacks.

Relations, which had been strained during the Kosovo conflict, were already on the mend before September 11.

But in the current crisis atmosphere, they have taken on fresh urgency -- not least on account of Russia's bitter war experience in Afghanistan, where suspected terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden is said to be hiding.