Russia signs deal to open 2nd base in Kyrgyzstan

Russia clinched a tentative deal Saturday allowing it to establish a second military base in Kyrgyzstan, where the United States also has an important air base.

Under the terms of a joint memorandum, Russia could significantly boost the number of troops it has deployed in the Central Asian nation for a period of up to 49 years. Russian forces will be charged with “protecting Kyrgyz sovereignty” and repelling attacks by international terrorist groups, it said. A definitive agreement detailing the status of the proposed base and Russia’s existing Kant base will be signed by November.

No specifics on the location of the base or the amount of troops were given, but the document signed Saturday by the leaders of the two countries indicated that Russia may be allowed to deploy the equivalent of a battalion.

The memorandum also stipulated that Russian troops stationed at the two bases in Kyrgyzstan may be granted diplomatic status, giving them immunity from local laws. More