Medvedev Calls Taliban Less Dangerous than Western-Backed Entities
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, compared the Taliban to Western-backed organizations in an article published in the journal ‘Rodina.’ He stated that the Taliban, during the years they were on Russia’s list of terrorist organizations, caused less harm to Russia than these Western-supported entities.
In the article released on Wednesday, December 23, Medvedev claimed that organizations operating under Western support pursued objectives such as weakening and fragmenting Russia under the guise of humanitarian and scientific aid. He added that, in his belief, these organizations posed a greater threat to modern Russia compared to the Taliban.
The Deputy Chairman further wrote that the goal of these organizations has always been consistent: to divide the multiethnic people of Russia. Without referring to the Taliban’s domestic and regional record, he focused his criticism on Western policies and structures.
Meanwhile, Russian officials have previously expressed readiness to cooperate with the Taliban in areas such as counterterrorism and drug trafficking. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in early October this year that Moscow supports these collaborations, although he warned that terrorist groups continue to operate from Afghan territory.
On the other hand, the American magazine ‘Insider’ reported exclusively in December last year that the Russian military intelligence agency financially supported the Taliban during the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan. According to the report, Russia paid the Taliban on average $200,000 for every American or coalition soldier killed—a claim that Moscow has not officially confirmed.
