RASC News Agency: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that the United States is striving to retain its influence in Afghanistan, including efforts to retrieve military equipment left behind during its withdrawal. The Russian Foreign Ministry, via Telegram on Monday, reported that Lavrov made these remarks as Donald Trump prepares to assume office in the United States. Lavrov asserted that Washington is actively seeking ways to recover the military assets it abandoned in Afghanistan. He further highlighted ongoing turbulence in the Middle East and the pressing challenges awaiting the incoming U.S. administration. “Beyond Gaza itself, the Palestinian issue cannot simply be forgotten.
We vividly recall how, during his first presidency, Donald Trump promoted a vision that diverged significantly from the Arab Peace Initiative, advocating instead for the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab nations,” Lavrov remarked. The Russian Foreign Minister also pointed to the recent escalation of instability in the region, stating, “The events of the past month have rendered the Middle East exceedingly volatile. Afghanistan, too, remains a critical point of concern. The Americans, leveraging neighboring countries, appear to be exploring ways to reestablish a presence and recover their military infrastructure from the region.”
Lavrov underscored Russia’s readiness for dialogue with the new U.S. administration. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump was vocal in criticizing the manner of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, repeatedly emphasizing the necessity of retrieving abandoned military equipment. However, during his inauguration speech, President Trump made no mention of Afghanistan or plans to reclaim U.S. military assets left behind in the country.
