Russia, U.S. Expand Naval Training

Russia, U.S. Expand Naval Training

Updated: Thu, Jun 21 9:45 AM EDT

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (AP) - Russian and U.S. naval commanders have agreed to expand joint training exercises, a top American admiral said Thursday, signaling a thaw in strained relations following the weekend summit of the two nations' presidents. Adm. Dennis Blair, commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, made the announcement after meeting with Russian military officers in the eastern cities of Khabarovsk and Vladivostok where he observed military training exercises, toured a Pacific Fleet ship and visited a naval unit. Blair said Thursday he and Russia's Pacific Fleet commander, Adm. Mikhail Zakharenko, discussed holding multinational naval exercises, joint submarine rescue training, and cooperation in fighting the drug trade. Washington and Russia have had tense relations in recent years. But the meeting Saturday between President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ljubljana, Slovenia, was seen an important step toward improving ties. Russian and U.S. officials signed a long-awaited agreement this week aimed at easing shipping between their nations' waters. "It's no secret that the relations between our two countries have been strained in recent years ... but if the meeting between our two presidents recently is any indication, these relationships should resume on a more frequent basis," Blair told reporters.