Russia blames US, allies for crisis in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Russia has assailed the US and its allies for the current economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan

“We believe Washington and its allies … should bear the bulk of the cost of restoring the Afghan economy," the Russian security chief said on Wednesday.

Nikolay Patrushev also opposed the return of US or NATO military facilities to the region, including to Afghanistan’s neighbours.

TASS news agency quoted him as saying the situation in Afghanistan remained tense and appeared to be a protracted crisis.

At a meeting of top security officials from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) members in New Delhi, he called for combating arms and drug trafficking in Afghanistan.

Patrushev also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They discussed greater Russia-India cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

PAN Monitor/mud