World

Russia will work to ‘normalize’ Afghanistan: Putin

Russia is working actively to “normalize” the situation in Afghanistan, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday during a visit to neighbouring Tajikistan, evoking Moscow's responsibilities in the area.

“We are doing everything to normalize the situation (in Afghanistan) and we are trying to build relations with the political forces that control the situation,” Putin said during talks with Tajikistan's President Emomali Rakhmon.

But their starting point was that Afghanistan's ethnic groups should take a full part in running the country, he added, in comments broadcast by Russian media.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

“Here, you know best… what needs to be done to ensure that the situation in the region, in this zone where we have a common responsibility, is stable and threatens no one,” he told Rakhmon.

This is Putin's first trip abroad since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine on February 24.

Russia has a major military base in Tajikistan, one of its allies in the region.

Tajikistan as a 1,200-kilometre (750-mile) long border with Afghanistan and Tajik forces regularly clash with Afghan drug smugglers.

The return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan last August has led some observers to fear that Tajikistan, the poorest of the former Soviet states, could be destabilised.

The country remains economically very dependent on Russia.

Read more:

Russia says it has yet to recognize Taliban as legitimate rulers of Afghanistan

Russia, Tajikistan troops hold joint drills near Afghanistan's border

Russia calls on US to release Afghan central bank reserves

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending

Exit mobile version