MOSCOW, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Russia does not rule out extending the operation of the International Space Station (ISS) until 2030, Dmitry Bakanov, head of Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos, said on Tuesday.

"A year ago, there were discussions about the need to wind down the ISS as soon as possible, but now we are talking with our American counterparts about keeping it operational until at least 2028, and possibly even 2030," Bakanov said during the Space with Knowledge educational marathon.

Meanwhile, a number of ISS partners have blocked Russia from organizing flights to the station for cosmonauts from other countries, the Roscosmos chief added.

"Cooperation in space should have no boundaries when its purpose is noble: to help people," Bakanov said.

Also, Russia is calling for the development of a legally binding instrument to prevent an arms race in space, he said.

"I would like to emphasize in particular that in international forums, Russia advocates the inviolability of the principles of the peaceful use of outer space," Bakanov said.

Russia is holding the Space Week from April 6 to 12. This year the event marks the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's first historic manned spaceflight on April 12, 1961.

The Space Week is organized by Roscosmos. ■