Putin: Russia has contacts with all political forces in Afghanistan

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Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated Tuesday that Russia has contact with all political forces present in Afghanistan.

"We have contacts with all political forces in this country," he mentioned at a meeting with his Tajik counterpart during the Russian leader's working visit to Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe, where he met his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rakhmon.

Putin emphasized that all ethnic groups present in the country must take part in the government, stressing that his country is doing everything possible to normalize the situation in Afghanistan and is trying to build relations with the political forces controlling the situation in the country.

Tajik President says ready to discuss situation in Afghanistan

Similarly, Rakhmon hailed cooperation with Russia in the sphere of security, inviting Putin to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

"I would like to specially note security cooperation between our countries. I am ready to discuss with you the current state of and prospects for further development of our relations, international and regional problems with a focus on the situation in Afghanistan," Rakhmon pointed out during a meeting with Putin.

The Tajik President stressed that he is glad to welcome the Russian President in Dushanbe.

Trade between Tajikistan & Russia soars by almost 50%

In a different context, Rakhmon underlined that trade turnover between Tajikistan and Russia grew by almost 50% over the five months of 2022.

"Russia remains our leading trade and economic partner. Over the five months of this year, mutual trade has grown by almost 50%," he said.

The Tajik leader noted that almost 80 Russian regions currently have business and other ties with Tajikistan.

Russia, Tajikistan cooperating actively in all spheres: Putin

On his part, Putin said Moscow and Dushanbe are actively cooperating in all spheres and maintain close and allied relations.

"Indeed, our relations have a deep, trust-based character. The countries have allied relations. We are actively cooperating in all spheres," Putin mentioned during the meeting.

The Russian President highlighted that "both last year and in the three-four months of the current year, we demonstrated, as a matter of fact, record-breaking trade growth" with Tajikistan.

According to Russian media, Putin will travel to Turkmenistan after completing his visit to Tajikistan to participate in the work of the Caspian Sea Summit. He will then visit Indonesia. It is noteworthy that this is the Russian President's first foreign trip since the start of the war in Ukraine.