Russian President Vladimir Putin has not decided to send additional forces to help partners defend the border with Afghanistan, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday, assuring, however, that Russia is ready to be with its partners.
"What is happening in Afghanistan is a matter of our deep concern," the Kremlin spokesman said. "We are ready to be together with our partners against the backdrop of the threat that events in Afghanistan may pose," Peskov assured.
"Of course not," the spokesman replied when asked if Russian President Vladimir Putin had decided to send additional forces to Afghanistan's borders.
He recalled that in that area "joint exercises are held, defense capabilities are tested, actions are honed."
At the same time, Peskov called it an "operational" question to what extent Russia is thinking about sending an additional contingent to the borders of Afghanistan. "We're talking in terms of principled approaches to what's going on," the Kremlin spokesman pointed out. He agreed that "everybody is afraid of complicating the situation." "That is why we keep saying that we are deeply concerned," Peskov explained.
Exercises at the borders
Earlier, the press service of the Central Military District (CMD) reported that more than 1,500 servicemen of Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan would take part in exercises at the Harb-Maydon range 20 km from Afghanistan, which would take place from August 5 to 10. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu specified that the servicemen would practice practical actions to destroy gangs, conduct aerial reconnaissance and protect facilities. According to Shoigu, the exercises are conducted in order to respond to the worsening situation in Afghanistan.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Mikhail Metzel / TASS
Based on materials from TASS