Russia welcomes Turkmenistan's contribution to international efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday, opening talks with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov.
The Russian foreign minister noted that Moscow and Ashgabat are interested in Afghanistan developing as a peaceful, independent, neutral state, free from terrorist and drug threats. "We welcome the contribution Ashkhabad consistently makes to the overall international efforts to achieve peace in and around Afghanistan," he stressed.
The Taliban (banned in Russia) launched a large-scale operation to take control of Afghanistan after the US announced its decision to withdraw its military forces from the country. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered Kabul without any fighting, and President Ashraf Ghani left the republic. On September 6, the Taliban claimed control of all Afghan territory, and on September 7 they announced the composition of the provisional government, the legitimacy of which has not yet been recognized by any country.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS