Russia is concerned about a possible escalation of the armed conflict in Afghanistan in the near future because of the postponement of US troop withdrawal until September 11, 2021. This was stated in a commentary by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova distributed on Wednesday.
"The announced US intention to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, is an obvious violation of the US-Taliban agreement signed on February 29, 2020, which provides for the full withdrawal of US troops by May 1, 2021. In this connection, the possible escalation of the armed conflict in Afghanistan in the near future is alarming, which, in turn, is fraught with the undermining of efforts to launch direct inter-Afghan negotiations," the commentary says.
Zakharova stressed that Moscow reiterated its interest "in preserving the prospect of constructive dialogue between the opposing Afghan sides, leading to an end to the long-standing war in Afghanistan and the establishment of the country as a peaceful, independent and neutral state."
A Washington administration official said Tuesday that US President Joe Biden intends to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan by September 11.
The US operation in Afghanistan has been ongoing since October 2001 and has become the longest overseas military campaign in American history. At its peak in 2010-2013, the number of Western forces in Afghanistan exceeded 150,000 troops. The main US and NATO combat forces were withdrawn from Afghanistan in 2014.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Mikhail Tereshchenko / TASS
Based on materials from TASS