RASC News Agency: Viktor Vasiliev, Russia’s representative to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), has identified Afghanistan as a significant challenge for the organization. Vasiliev emphasized that a notable number of terrorists, operating under various names and religious affiliations, are active within Afghanistan.
He pointed out that while different terrorist groups exist in the country, they vary in both name and religious composition. In an interview with RIA Novosti, the Russian state news agency, Vasiliev stated that some of these groups did not emerge by chance but were compelled to leave the Middle East, particularly the border region between Syria and Turkey.
He underscored that these individuals have received combat training and possess substantial financial resources. According to Vasiliev, the terrorist groups in Afghanistan display diverse names and religious affiliations. He also announced that all CSTO member states are in support of initiatives aimed at strengthening the borders between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
He acknowledged that Afghanistan currently harbors various terrorist factions. The CSTO comprises Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Vasiliev indicated that each member country, based on its unique needs and capabilities, will determine how to provide assistance in terms of expertise, equipment upgrades, and training of forces.
While acknowledging the necessity of dialogue with the Taliban, he implied that such negotiations are currently unfeasible, citing the need to resolve legal issues within the CSTO framework. Vasiliev confirmed that some CSTO member states maintain their own channels for engaging with the Taliban.
Like many other nations, Russia does not officially recognize the Taliban. Despite growing concerns over threats emanating from Afghanistan, Russia maintains diplomatic relations with the group. The Taliban continues to be listed as a terrorist organization in Russia. However, Russian officials have recently indicated that the possibility of removing the Taliban from this list is under consideration.
