Putin sees opportunities to deepen ties with Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed optimism about the potential to deepen relations with Afghanistan, citing signs of stabilization in the country.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, Putin said, "The situation in Afghanistan is complex, but we see an opportunity to build stronger relations.

All member countries of the CSTO are interested in maintaining and expanding these ties, both now and in the future."

While acknowledging the challenges in Afghanistan, the Russian leader emphasized that the country’s situation is gradually stabilizing, TASS reported.

"We are engaged in bilateral relations with the current Afghan authorities, and we intend to continue developing these ties further," he added.

However, Putin noted that the situation remains fraught with complexities that require ongoing attention, particularly from the CSTO, which is concerned not only with military issues but also with combatting organized crime and drug trafficking.

"There is much work to be done," Putin said, highlighting the shared interest among CSTO members in addressing these challenges.

"The situation in Ukraine is not the only crisis affecting global stability. We cannot ignore the challenges on the borders of CSTO member states with Afghanistan. We must remain vigilant," he said.

On November 25, a high-level Russian delegation, led by Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu and Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, met with Afghan officials to further discuss bilateral cooperation and security matters.

sa