Russian Citizens Will Remain in Afghanistan
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says that "Moscow is ready to provide civil aviation services to evacuate citizens of other countries and Afghan citizens from Afghanistan" if they want to.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed today, Thursday, that there are no talks about evacuating Russian citizens residing in Afghanistan.
She added that Russia is ready to provide civil aviation services to evacuate citizens of other countries from Afghanistan, as well as the evacuation of Afghan citizens, including women and children, to any foreign country that would welcome them.
Zakharova continued that the "Taliban" Movement's assumption of power is a reality that the international community must take into consideration upon establishing relations with Afghanistan. She also added that "Russia confirms the approach to setting conditions for organizing a discussion in Afghanistan."
Moreover, she said, "There is no reason to believe that trade and economic relations between Russia and Afghanistan will not develop."
Zakharova's statement was preceded by a statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in which he revealed that Moscow supports holding a nationwide dialogue for all political forces in Afghanistan, which will form a government that undertakes reaching a settlement in the country.
Lavrov said that Moscow's approach toward Afghanistan includes major opportunities that facilitate resolving the situation in the country, noting that "Russia is ready to resume its work."
Moreover, the Russian Foreign Ministry said yesterday, Wednesday, that Lavrov discussed with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu during a phone call the situation in Afghanistan, urging the main parties to ensure security there.
According to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two sides "called on the main national forces to ensure security and order in the country as soon as possible."
In mid-August, the "Taliban" took control of a majority of the Afghan territory, including the capital Kabul. The resigned Afghan President Ashraf Ghani left the country and is currently in the United Arab Emirates.
A prominent member of the "Taliban" Movement told Reuters that Afghanistan may be ruled by a governing council after the Movement's assumption of power in the country.