The United States is ready to assist Russia if necessary to ensure security at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Friday.
Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey met with his Russian counterpart Chief of the Russian General Staff and First Deputy Defence Minister Gen.
Valery Gerasimov in Brussels last week, Hagel said after talks in Washington with French Defence Minister Jean-Yves le Drian.
The U.S. defence secretary also said he had a talk with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu recently to discuss possibilities for U.S. help for Russia.
For the present, Russians have not requested for any help or technologies, the Pentagon chief noted, adding that he would like Russians to know that if they needed the United States was ready to help.
In case the United States has to evacuate its citizens, Washington will have possibilities to do it together with Russians.
Earlier, a Pentagon official said two American warships would be in the Black Sea region in readiness in case of an emergency at the Winter Olympic Games.
Le Drian, in turn, said France had not received requests from Russia for help, but was ready to ensure safety for it citizens if necessary.
TASS