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Russia won't let army drawn into all-against-all conflict in Afghanistan
The TASS reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Russia is keeping a close eye on the situation in Afghanistan but will not let its armed forces be drawn into an all-against-all conflict in that country.
Putin said: "You know how difficult and alarming the situation in Afghanistan currently is. We are keeping a close eye on this situation, actively cooperating with our allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)."
He added, "naturally, we will not interfere in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs, neither will our armed forces be drawn into this all-against-all conflict. I think this is what is going on there."
Putin noted the conflict in Afghanistan has been smoldering for decades.
He said: "The former Soviet Union has its own experience in that country. We have learned the lesson."
The TASS added, as Taliban gained control over Afghanistan, vice President Amrullah Saleh said that under the constitution, he becomes "the caretaker president" in the absence of president Asharaf Ghani and called for armed resistance against the Taliban.
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The northern province of Panjshir is the only pocket of resistance to the Taliban.
The TASS noted it is led by Ahmad Massoud, a son of Ahmad Shah Massoud (1953-2001), a once influential leader of Afghanistan’s Tajik community who fought against the Taliban back in the 1990s.
A source in Panjshir told TASS on Saturday that Massoud had embarked on talks with the Taliban on the establishment of an inclusive government and on settling political contradictions.
Source: tass
