Exclusive - Russia, NATO plan joint operation on Syria's chemical weapons

U.S. dock workers tie mooring ropes as the U.S. MV Cape Ray berths at the naval airbase in Rota, near Cadiz, southern Spain February 13, 2014. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

MOSCOW/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russia and NATO are drawing up plans for a rare joint naval operation in the Mediterranean to protect the U.S. ship that will destroy Syria's deadliest chemical weapons, officials and other sources said.

The operation would be a symbolic breakthrough at a time when NATO-Russian relations are strained over NATO's anti-missile shield and East-West tensions are running high over Ukraine.