The American Agriculture Secretary, Dan Glickman, has said Russia has formally asked the United States for food aid.

Mr Glickman said it was too early to talk about the size of a relief package but he said American officials were going to Moscow this week to discuss details.

He confirmed that Russia needed significant quantities of meat, rice and grain.

Mr Glickman said it was in the United States' interest to help provided Russia gave guarantees that the food would reach the people who needed it.