In a letter accompanying the draft resolution that was sent to Federation Council Speaker Yegor Stroyev, Mr Putin said “the Russian troop contingent will operate as part of the UN peacekeeping force in an area designated by the UN Security Council for conducting the peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone. The contingent will guard UN personnel by providing air cover for ground convoys, search-and-rescue operations, and support for airmobile operations, patrol and observation missions.”
The letter also said that “expenses incurred by the involvement of Russian troops in the peacekeeping operation shall be financed in accordance with current legislation, and the UN shall subsequently reimburse Russia for such expenses”.
Vladimir Putin appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ordzhonikidze and Colonel General Vitaly Pavlov, Commander of Army Aviation, his official representatives during the Federation Council discussion on sending a Russian troop contingent to join the UN peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone.