The next meeting of the extended Troika (Russia, China, the United States and Pakistan) on the settlement of Afghanistan is planned for January-February, the place of the meeting has not been determined yet. This was announced by the Russian MFA. The minister's written answers to media questions were published Friday on the ministry's website.
"Russia is actively cooperating with Pakistan on the Afghan problem both at the bilateral level and within the framework of multilateral mechanisms, in particular, the extended Troika and the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan," the ministry noted. - "In the nearest perspective, in January-February of this year we are planning the next meeting of the extended Troika, the place of the meeting has not been defined yet."
The diplomatic office added that all these efforts are primarily aimed at the successful completion of the inter-Afghan peace process and the formation of a truly inclusive government in the country, reflecting the interests of all major ethnopolitical forces. "Besides, it is important that the Taliban (banned in Russia) should give priority to continuing the fight against the terrorist threat, including ISIS (former name of IS group, banned in Russia), which is increasing its influence, as well as with the remaining urgent problem of a drug crime," stressed the Russian MFA.
The ministry pointed out that Russia views Pakistan as a key regional player with significant influence on the processes taking place in Afghanistan. "The extent to which the new Afghan authorities will be able to successfully advance in the above-mentioned areas will determine the decision on international recognition of the Taliban movements," the diplomatic office pointed out.
The Taliban launched a large-scale operation to take control of Afghanistan after the US announced in the spring of 2021 the decision to withdraw its armed forces from the country. On August 15, the Taliban entered Kabul without a fight and President Ashraf Ghani left the country. On September 6, the radicals declared their control over the whole territory of Afghanistan, and on September 7 they announced the composition of the provisional government, the legitimacy of which has not been recognized by any country so far.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS