Zamir Kabulov, the envoy of the Russian President to Afghanistan, left, shaking hands with a member of the political delegation of the Afghan Taliban movement Mawlawi Shahabuddin Dilawar, right
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said it is possible to remove the Taliban movement from the list of terrorist organizations. Speaking at a meeting of the International Valdai Club in Moscow last week, Putin insisted it should be at the level of the United Nations. The Russian president said there should be no rush to officially recognize the Taliban as the new rulers of Afghanistan, but stressed the need to engage in dialogue with them.
At the same time, Putin and other Russian officials also underscored the threats posed by the Islamic State group and other militants based in northern Afghanistan, saying drug trafficking from Afghanistan would continue to present a challenge.
“We all hope that these people, the Taliban, who are undoubtedly controlling the situation in Afghanistan, will ensure that the situation develops positively,” Putin said.
Meanwhile, the Taliban have welcomed Putin’s remarks.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan welcomes the comments of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin regarding the removal of the names of IEA leaders from the blacklist,” said Abdul Kahar Balkhi, spokesman for the Afghan Foreign Ministry in the interim government. country said on Sunday.
A Taliban spokesman tweeted, “As the war chapter comes to an end, world countries must also bring about a positive change in their relations and attitudes towards Afghanistan. We seek a positive relationship with the international community based on the principle of reciprocity. Huh.”
Russia hosts Afghan talks
On Wednesday, Russia hosted talks with the Taliban and senior representatives from neighboring countries on Afghanistan, a round of diplomacy that underscored Moscow’s clout in Central Asia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov opened the talks and stressed that “creating a government completely inclusive of the interests of not only all ethnic groups but all political forces in the country” is essential to achieving a stable peace in Afghanistan, 39 Million country.
Russia had worked for years to establish contact with the Taliban, even though it designated the group a terrorist organization in 2003 and never took it off the list. Any contact with such groups is punishable under Russian law, but the foreign ministry has said in response to questions about the apparent contradiction that its exchanges with the Taliban are necessary to help stabilize Afghanistan.
Unlike many other countries, Russia has not vacated its embassy in Kabul and its ambassador has maintained regular contact with the Taliban since they captured the Afghan capital of Kabul in August.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov really appreciated the efforts of the Taliban to stabilize the military-political situation in the country and ensure the operation of state structures.
Russia has vowed to provide military support to help counter threats to its former Soviet allies in Central Asia and has conducted joint exercises in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which is neighboring Afghanistan. Another extensive military exercise in Tajikistan, involving 5,000 soldiers, over 700 military vehicles and fighter jets, has begun this week.
The Taliban captured Kabul in August and in September announced an interim government for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
The Taliban is pushing for international recognition. However, the world community has made it clear that the Taliban must fulfill the promises made before any recognition can be made.
(with inputs from ANI and AP)
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