Russian president Vladimir Putin called the withdrawal of the western coalition’s troops from Afghanistan was "hasty, mildly speaking," pointing to the threats in the region that have arisen because of it.
Speaking by video link at the summit of the Collective Security treaty organization (CSTO) on Thursday, he noted that the situation in the CSTO area of responsibility and on the external borders of its members is "not only unstable, but carries new, truly critical challenges and risks for security of our countries."
"Right after a hasty, mildly speaking hasty withdrawal of the troops of the US and its allies from Afghanistan and the rise to power of the Taliban (banned in Russia - TASS) we shared views on the dangers related to the drastically changed situation in the country at an extraordinary CSTO summit. All approved then the conclusion that amid the current environment a close cooperation between CSTO member-states is required as never before," Putin emphasized.
The Russian leader reminded that the sides "agreed that it is necessary to be ready at any moment to make full use of the defense and political potential of the CSTO to ensure security and maintain peace and stability" in its member states.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS