Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin has proposed referring to the Taliban (banned in Russia) government simply as "Afghanistan" instead of labeling it as the Taliban government. Speaking on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Pankin stated, "Let's call them Afghanistan, [not the Taliban]."
Pankin clarified that there are no planned bilateral contacts with Afghan officials during the SPIEF, but noted that communication would occur in a round table discussion involving Abdul Umari, the head of the Afghan delegation and Minister of Labor. "No, we will communicate at a round table with the participation of the Minister of Labor - the head of the delegation [Abdul Umari]," Pankin specified.
Addressing the Taliban's control of Afghanistan, Pankin remarked, "It's a reality, they control the country, they run it, we can't wait so long. [Admittedly] there are certain formalities there."
Pankin also reflected on his participation in a SPIEF session with the Taliban, focusing on the Greater Eurasian Partnership. "It was devoted to the Greater Eurasian Partnership, a conceptual vision of the project's realization," he noted. He emphasized an approach aimed at fostering cooperation without divisive lines or confrontations, highlighting the potential to diminish Western dominance. "There is a great potential, which will have an impact in terms of weakening, including the elimination of Western dominance," the high-ranking diplomat added.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the Rais RT
Based on TASS materials