Russian President Vladimir Putin noted with regret that the example of Afghanistan has not taught Western partners anything, they continue to pursue the same policy in other regions of the world.
"We see, on the one hand, that many of our partners say, "Yes, we made a mistake, we should not have behaved this way in Afghanistan." But they continue to behave this way in other regions of the world. Unfortunately, this difficult example of Afghanistan teaches us almost nothing," he said, speaking at the plenary session of the VTB Capital investment forum "Russia Calling!".
"I will not mention any names now, but I have heard many times from my colleagues that they overdid it, they did not take this and that into account. But the same thing continues in other regions. Including, by the way, the countries of Africa and the Middle East".
Putin noted that therefore the international community in its policies should be based on respect for partners. "If we base our policies, I mean the international community as a whole, on these principles, then we will definitely succeed. Although it is sometimes a difficult process, requires patience and time. But in any case there is no other way for a long-term solution to this or that crisis and for the necessary development".
On Afghanistan's national reserves
According to him, Western banks should unblock Afghanistan's national reserves, primarily for the humanitarian needs of the country.
"It is necessary to help the Afghan people, at least to unblock the Afghan money, kept in accounts in Western banks, first of all in the US. It is necessary to unblock it, to let people solve elementary things. At least, unblock the money in a targeted way to solve humanitarian issues: to buy medical equipment, medicines, support for children. You can unblock it specifically, it will not go for weapons, and the Taliban (a movement banned in Russia) do not need weapons in Afghanistan. "They have already left billions of dollars worth of weapons for the Taliban".
Putin stressed that the situation in Afghanistan is very complicated now. "This is neither the time nor the place to characterize the Taliban movement and so on, but the Taliban control the situation in the country," he pointed out.
The president added that "it is necessary to look one step further".
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS