Russia wants US, NATO troops shut out of region

KABUL (Pajhwok): Russia has urged Central Asian states to reject plans for the redeployment of NATO troops in the region after their chaotic pullout from Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said: “We once again request that Afghanistan’s neighbours prevent the military presence of the US and NATO on their soil.”

The state-controlled TV network quoted him as telling a meeting of foreign ministers from the countries neighbouring Afghanistan that the US and NATO planned to return to the region.

While opposing the military presence of the US and its allies in the region, Lavrov announced Russia was preparing to send assistance to Afghanistan.

PAN Monitor/mud