KABUL, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed his country's readiness to assist Afghanistan in the field of defense and security, a statement of Afghan Presidential Palace received here Monday said.

    Dmitry Medvedev, according to the statement, in a letter to his Afghan counterpart noted that Kremlin appreciates the efforts of Afghanistan in the fields of good governance, reconstruction and development.

    "Russia regards Afghanistan as a friend and is ready to assist it in all fields including the defense, "the statement quoted President Midvidov's letter as saying.

    Afghan President Hamid Karzai in a letter to his Russian counterpart in last November has stressed for enhancing relations between the two nations.

    Russia as an heir to former Soviet Union has contributed to the rebuilding process of Afghanistan. However, the Russian-built weaponry left over from the erstwhile Soviet Union with Afghan national army has been gradually replaced with weapons used by NATO forces.