Kremlin Says It Will Watch Taliban Actions Before Taking Position On Afghan Administration
By RFE/RL August 26, 2021
The Kremlin says it will wait to see how the Taliban acts after taking over Afghanistan before deciding on its position toward the militant group.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a news briefing in Moscow on August 26 that Russia was interested in maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan and would likely continue contacts with the United States on issues arising there.
"We think that the Taliban's dominance, the de facto rise to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and their taking most of the country under their control is de facto an accomplished process," Peskov said.
"We believe that we will definitely have to very closely monitor the steps that the Taliban takes in the future in terms of ensuring law and order and the safety of people -- first and foremost, the country's citizens -- and also the security of Russian diplomats and diplomatic workers, which is crucial for us," he added.
Russia has voiced concern that a proposal by Washington to allow refugees from Afghanistan to resettle in Central Asia could undermine stability in the region.
Moscow has also said it does not want to see U.S. troops in Central Asia because it would make the region a target for attacks.
With reporting by Reuters and TASS
Source: https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/russia-response -taliban-takeover/31429576.html
Copyright (c) 2021. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
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