Russia expects that no one will dare to show aggression against CSTO countries amid the situation in Afghanistan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday at the webinar "Russia's foreign policy: successes, challenges, tasks and prospects."
"Our position with our Central Asian neighbors is that all obligations within the CSTO remain fully in force. Of course, we very firmly hope that no one will think of testing the strength of the Collective Security Treaty and trying to start aggressive actions against any of its members," he said.
The security situation in Afghanistan deteriorated in April after US President Joe Biden announced the end of the US operation in the republic. As of July 13, the US had more than 95% completed withdrawal of its troops. Other NATO countries and their partners also began withdrawing their contingents from the country at the same pace. Against this background, the Taliban (banned in Russia) is increasing the pace of attack in some areas. At present several dozen districts of Afghanistan are under control of the Taliban who, according to local media, have also seized several key border crossings on the borders with Tajikistan, Iran and Pakistan. Kabul is planning a massive counteroffensive against the supporters of the movement.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS