Today, the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev discussed several regional issues including the US and its role in Afghanistan, Russian plans, and the United Kingdom, during an interview with leading Russian media.

Medvedev discussed how the United States is trying to spread its own model of democracy around the world, but it is absolutely inapplicable in several countries, he told a Russian agency.

In response to the US actions in Afghanistan, he believed that had the money spent over 20 years there been used for completely different purposes and had Washington not tried to impose its model of democracy, Afghanistan could have been turned "into a blooming garden."

"Firstly, if efforts were made for this, and, secondly, if our partners, in this case, the United States, did not try to impose everywhere their own model of democracy, which they are trying to deliver around the world and which is absolutely inapplicable in several countries," Medvedev said.

The US turns blind eye to drug trafficking in Afghanistan

That said, Medvedev discussed the situation with drug trafficking in Afghanistan. He believed that the situation is extremely dramatic, citing cases where NATO and the United States turned a blind eye to it.

He noted that since 2001, when the US sent troops to Afghanistan, drug traffic in the country had grown by about 40 times.

"Trillions of dollars have been spent, the population is still poor, very poor, and drug trafficking is growing. Moreover, we are aware of cases when the contingent present there, the international one, in fact, that of NATO, American, simply turned a blind eye to this," Medvedev said.

Taliban gov't will be recognized if it fights terrorism

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According to the Deputy, Russia has contacts with the Taliban, but their recognition as a political force is contingent on them fulfilling a number of obligations and efforts to combat terrorism.

"As for the general situation, it remains very complicated ... We have contacts with the Taliban, of course, this is natural. If we talk about their recognition as a political force, then there is such a general position regarding the formation of an inclusive government, regarding the fulfillment of a number of obligations that this government must fulfill, and, of course, the fight against terrorism," Medvedev said.

UK Will Regret Leaving EU: Medvedev

Medvedev believes that the United Kingdom will repeatedly regret its decision to leave the European Union, as the island nation's economic opportunities have since shrunk.

"Now that the British have jumped out of the European Union, I think they will regret what they have done many times over. Their economic opportunities have narrowed, they periodically experience shutdowns of production, enterprises, they lack something, there is an energy crisis. Therefore, those who jump out of integration associations, as a rule, regret it," Medvedev said in an interview with leading Russian media.

Read more: British Economy Experiencing Unprecedented Collapse

Events in Kazakhstan were both unexpected and expected

Regarding Kazakhstan, Medvedev mentioned that the events that took place earlier in January were unexpected, but at the same time expected, given the desire of many parties to shake up the situation in the post-Soviet space.

"The events that took place in Kazakhstan were both unexpected and, to a certain extent, expected, given the desire to shake up the situation in the territory of the former Soviet Union, which is shown by a large number of players," Medvedev said.

In terms of the causes of these developments, the official stated that, in addition to the external factor, there is an internal reason — an income disparity.

The official went on to say that Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was correct in interpreting these developments in the country "as terrorists attempting to seize power."

Russia has no prerequisites

Moreover, he mentioned that there are no prerequisites in Russia for events similar to what took place in Kazakhstan. He believes that Russia is an "effective state that is capable of responding to any manifestations of terrorist activity."

"I believe that we do not have any prerequisites for such events [as in Kazakhstan]. Firstly, because, in general, the majority of citizens of our country share the course pursued by the government, which is pursued by the president of the country," Medvedev said.

This is confirmed by the recent voting for amendments to the country's basic law and in elections to legislative bodies, the official noted.

"On the other hand, we have an effective state — I emphasize: an effective state — which is capable of responding to any manifestations of terrorist activity or any criminal attacks in general," Medvedev added.