"Russia certainly is determined not to remain simply a bystander," he said at the headquarters of the 19-member Alliance, which is due to take command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in August.

He reiterated that Russia will not be sending any armed forces to Afghanistan, from where Soviet troops were forced out in the 1980s. "That is absolutely ruled out," he said.

But he stressed that Moscow could help the force in other ways, including intelligence, logistical support or by allowing troops to transit across its territory.

The area covered by ISAF, which was deployed in the country after the ouster of the Taliban regime in 2002 following the September 11, 2001 attacks, is restricted to Kabul and its immediate surroundings.

Ivanov, asked whether he believed this zone should be widened, replied: "We are prepared to assist the forces in any kind of form which they may take either within Kabul or beyond the confines of Kabul."

"If ISAF forces believe it is advisable to go beyond the confines of Kabul, very good, but that is a decision up to the forces," he added.

Ivanov, speaking after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, said he was still waiting for the "official response" from the Alliance to Moscow's offer of help in Afghanistan.

NATO chief George Robertson meanwhile welcomed progress at the latest meeting of the NATO-Russia body. "We've made real progress on such key defense issues as terrorism, theatre missile defense and military reform."

WAR.WIRE