Putin: Russia concerned at situation in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Russia has voiced its concern at efforts by some countries to exploit the current unstable situation in Afghanistan in the name of battling terrorism.

President Vladimir Putin, addressing a meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow on Wednesday, hit out at non-regional countries for not taking the measures that were needed to a genuinely combat global terrorism.

“Afghanistan’s predicament is not getting better after the chaotic exodus of US troops,” Putin was quoted as telling participants of the huddle by state-run TASS news agency.

The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan was worsening, he noted, saying about four million people there needed urgent assistance.

The Russian leader believed wars in other regions, including Ukraine, did not eclipse the situation in Afghanistan. “But it does not decrease the importance of the situation in Afghanistan.”

At the fifth multilateral meeting, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev accused the US of seeking to continue its geopolitical experiments in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani identified peace and stability in Afghanistan as Tehran’s top priority.

He commented: “We believe and proceed from the fact that the presence of the United States destabilizes the region. Afghanistan confirms this…”

Despite struggling with unilateral US sanctions, Iran was hosting millions of Afghan refugees, he said, urging Afghanistan to focus on boosting its national unity and inclusivity in governance.

Shamkhani asked the Biden administration to release Afghanistan’s foreign assets and thereby help the country cope with its myriad problems.

China’s ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui commended Moscow’s efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation on Afghanistan. He said Russia was playing a proactive role in supporting stability and development in the war-hit country.

He highlighted Russia’s efforts within the framework of Moscow consultations, SCO and the CSTO for stabilising Afghanistan.

Senior security officials from Russia, Iran, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the event.

PAN Monitor/mud

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