An ambulance leaves the site of a trolleybus explosion in Volgograd, Russia, Monday, Dec. 30, 2013.
The United States has offered to help Russia secure the 2014 Winter Olympics following two deadly attacks in two days in the country.
Å“The US government has offered our full support to the Russian government in security preparations for the Sochi Olympic Games, and we would welcome the opportunity for closer cooperation for the safety of the athletes, spectators, and other participants,” National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement on Monday.
A blast hit a trolleybus on Monday morning in Volgograd, killing at least 14 people. Another explosion on Sunday killed 17 people at Volgograd’s main train station.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered tighter security nationwide as the country is due to hold the 2014 Olympics in February.
Washingtonâ„¢s offer comes after US President Barack Obama refused to attend in the opening or closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games.
US-Russia relations have been icy over a wide range of issues from foreign policy to human rights.
Moscowâ„¢s decision to grant one-year political asylum to American whistleblower Edward Snowden has angered American politicians.
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee said on Monday it is confident the event will be Å“safe and secure.”
Å“I have personally written to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to express our condolences to the Russian people and our confidence in the Russian authorities to deliver safe and secure Games in Sochi,” IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement.
Å“I am certain that everything will be done to ensure the security of the athletes and all the participants of the Olympic Games,” he said.
AGB/AGB
Source: Press TV