Afghanistan Talks: Taliban invited by Russia
Russia will invite Taliban representatives to international talks on Afghanistan that will be held in Moscow on October 20, according to President Vladimir Putin’s special representative.
In comments published by Russian news media, the representative, Zamir Kabulov, did not offer more specifics on the planned meeting. Further details will be revealed after the talks on 20th October.
Russia is concerned about the potential for regional repercussions, as well as the prospect of extremists invading former Soviet countries in Central Asia, which Moscow sees as a potential defensive challenge.
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Following the Taliban takeover, Moscow conducted military drills in Tajikistan and upgraded its equipment along with the army station there.
The Prime Minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin also spoke by phone with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon on Thursday, during which the two leaders addressed the security situation in Afghanistan, according to a statement from the Tajik administration.
In March, Moscow held an international summit on Afghanistan, during which Russia, the United States, China, and Pakistan issued a joint statement urging the then-warring Afghan factions to reach an agreement and reduce violence.
It also urged the Taliban not to undertake offensives during the spring and summer months.
After 20 years on the ground, the US and its allies withdrew their forces, the Taliban seized control in a rapid advance, and the previous government disintegrated.
