Russian and Uzbek Presidents Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev exchanged views on regional issues during a telephone conversation, primarily in the context of the worsening situation in Afghanistan, the Kremlin press service said on Monday.
"The heads of state exchanged views on regional issues, primarily in the context of the worsening situation in Afghanistan. When discussing issues on the bilateral agenda, the development of Russian-Uzbek relations of strategic partnership and alliance was highly appreciated," the report said.
The presidents of the two countries agreed on further contacts, the press service said.
On Monday, the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is worried by the situation in the border regions of Afghanistan against the background of the withdrawal of the US military from there. According to Peskov, the Russian leadership is carefully observing the situation in the country and subscribing to the statement that "destabilization is taking place there".
Answering the question of whether Russia considers sending an additional contingent to help Tajikistan protect its borders, the Kremlin spokesman said that the Russian military and border guards will monitor the worsening situation in the border regions of Afghanistan and make appropriate decisions.
On Monday, the press center of the Border Troops of Tajikistan's State Committee for National Security reported that more than a thousand Afghan soldiers had retreated into the republic after fighting with supporters of the radical Taliban movement (banned in Russia). Over the past two weeks, there have already been several incidents of Afghan servicemen being forced into Tajik territory.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS