The first steps to be taken by the leadership of the Taliban radical movement (banned in the Russian Federation) have yet to be seen and understood. This was stated by Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov in an interview with Izvestia at the Eastern Economic Forum.
According to him, Russia is primarily interested in ensuring that Afghanistan does not become a haven for terrorist groups.
‘They [the Taliban radical movement banned in Russia] have already formed some structure of power and made the first appointments, as far as we know. But we will see what kind of first steps will be taken by the Taliban as the new ruler of Afghanistan. Of course, first of all, it is important for us that Afghanistan does not become a haven for a big number of terrorist groups, the way it happened 20 years ago’, Peskov said.
The spokesman also noted that the Afghan authorities should take ‘vigorous measures’ to stop drug traffic.
The Taliban movement launched a large-scale operation to take control of Afghanistan after the US last spring announced the intention to withdraw its military forces from the country. On September 15, President Ashraf Ghani stepped down and left the country, while the Taliban militants entered Kabul without encountering resistance. US troops left Afghanistan completely on Tuesday night, ending their 20-year stay in the country.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS