Kremlin: Russia Forced to Engage with Taliban Due to Regional Security Concerns
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that Russia is compelled to engage in dialogue with the Taliban due to Afghanistan’s geopolitical position and the presence of Russian forces along the borders of Central Asia. Peskov made the remarks during a press conference with Indian media hosted by ‘Sputnik India.’
He emphasized that there are no alternative options for maintaining regional stability, noting that Afghanistan borders former Soviet republics, including Tajikistan, where Russian border troops are still stationed. Given these circumstances, dialogue with the Taliban is considered necessary for Russia, he stated.
Although Peskov did not provide specific details regarding the nature or level of contact with the Taliban, previous Russian government sources have indicated that Moscow’s interaction with the Taliban administration focuses primarily on security issues, combating drug trafficking, and monitoring the situation along the borders of Central Asia.
Despite the fact that the international community has not recognized the Taliban administration, Russia remains the only country to have effectively acknowledged it through diplomatic channels and continues to engage with it.
Meanwhile, the Tajik presidential office announced yesterday that five people were killed and five others injured in two shooting incidents originating from Afghan territory over the past week. These events have heightened concerns about growing border threats posed by the Taliban’s unrecognized rule in Afghanistan.
