Russia Condemns Sanctions on Afghanistan, Says They Worsen Humanitarian Crisis
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the sanctions imposed on Afghanistan and the freezing of the country’s banking assets by the West target the lives of ordinary people rather than the government’s sovereignty, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Referring to alarming humanitarian indicators, she noted that the infant mortality rate in Afghanistan is nearly twice the global average, a situation she described as indicative of the severity of the country’s humanitarian crisis. Zakharova emphasized that the reduction in international funding for humanitarian programs has further exacerbated the conditions.
According to the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, the “ultimatum-like demands” by the United States and its allies to impose their preferred model of “democracy” on Afghanistan, combined with sanctions policies against Kabul, have harmed the most vulnerable segments of society. She added that these measures have obstructed efforts to address the humanitarian crisis.
Zakharova also called the freezing of Afghanistan’s banking assets by Western countries “illegal,” stating that this action has deprived the Kabul-based government of the ability to use domestic funds to manage the crisis.
These remarks come after the Taliban administration took control of Afghanistan, resulting in the blocking of a significant portion of the country’s foreign assets and the imposition of extensive restrictions on the banking system. Meanwhile, aid organizations have repeatedly warned that ongoing financial pressures and decreased international aid have made the living conditions of millions of Afghans increasingly fragile. However, critics stress that the Taliban administration also holds direct responsibility for improving the economic situation, ensuring fundamental rights for citizens, and building trust for constructive engagement with the international community.
