Bangladesh, March 28 -- In a surprising development that signals a potential thaw in US-Russia relations, a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed that Moscow is willing to support Elon Musks ambitious Mars mission by providing nuclear technology and other advanced space innovations. Kirill Dmitriev, who serves as Putins special economic representative and chief economic envoy in recent US-Russia negotiations, announced that Russia could contribute a compact nuclear power station for long-duration interplanetary travel.

The proposal was first floated in mid-March and was reiterated on March 27 during Dmitrievs discussions at the International Arctic Forum. While there has been no official response from Musk or his aero...