Putin and Rahmon Discuss Security Threats Related to Afghanistan in Phone Call
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, and Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan, held a phone conversation to discuss bilateral cooperation, regional situation, and security challenges related to Afghanistan. The Kremlin stated that both sides emphasized strengthening strategic partnership and regional coordination, though specific details of the discussion about Afghanistan were not released.
According to official information, the main focus of concern shared by Moscow and Dushanbe has been the rising security threats and the necessity of maintaining stability along the borders. These concerns arise as Tajikistan has reported increasing cross-border insecurity in recent weeks and expressed worry over the consequences of the security situation in Afghanistan—a situation that critics attribute to the Taliban administration’s inability to ensure lasting security and control armed groups.
On December 25, Tajikistan’s National Security Committee confirmed that following an armed conflict with fighters who had entered from Afghan territory, three armed individuals and two Tajik border forces were killed. Earlier in December, two additional attacks reportedly originating from Afghan soil resulted in at least five deaths.
After these incidents, Emomali Rahmon instructed his country’s security agencies to review and strengthen border protection measures and strategies. Tajikistan shares a long border with Afghanistan, and securing this area is considered vital for the country’s internal stability.
Russia and Tajikistan have longstanding security cooperation that includes joint military exercises and intelligence sharing. The publicly stated aim of these collaborations is to curb threats posed by extremist groups operating in Afghanistan and the region; threats that continue to worry neighboring countries amid ongoing instability and the lack of a responsive governance structure under the Taliban administration.
