MOSCOW, November 29 (RIA Novosti) - Russia plans to increase its contribution to the UN peacekeeping program from the current $80 million to $120 million in 2008, a deputy foreign minister said Thursday.
Alexander Yakovenko said: "Russia participates in UN peacekeeping operations and their logistical support. The number of Russians taking part in peace missions has fluctuated between 210 and 370 personnel over the last few years."
A total of 290 Russian peacekeepers are currently employed in 12 UN peacekeeping operations.
The total number of peacekeepers is 83,000, with an annual budget of around $7 billion.
