Afghanistan Peace CampaignKabulov further said that although the security situation in Afghanistan remains tense, it is “much better than under Western occupation.”
Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special presidential envoy for Afghanistan, has called the Islamic Emirate government in Kabul an “Objective partner”in the fight against terrorism and stressed that Russia must support them, including with weapons, to help eliminate the remaining terrorist threats in Afghanistan.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN-sponsored working group meetings on counter-narcotics and private sector development in Doha, Qatar, Kabulov said: “In this particular case, they [the Taliban authorities] are our objective allies, whom we must support in order to arm them in every sense of the word, so that they successfully suppress all these smallest hotbeds of international terrorism.”
He explained that terrorist groups in Afghanistan had taken root during the NATO presence and that the “Taliban” had already been fighting them back then. “So, this reproach and criticism is not addressed to the Afghan authorities,” Kabulov said.
Kabulov also announced that the Islamic Emirate will participate as a full member in the upcoming Moscow Format meeting, expected to be held in September or October of this year. He said he and Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov have been coordinating with like-minded regional partners on this issue.
In a separate statement to TASS, Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov defended the “Taliban” government, saying that it should not be judged for actions it didn’t take while it was in opposition. He recalled that “even while in opposition during the civil war with the occupation contingent, the Taliban had to fight one more than one front.’
“The Taliban is fighting the Islamic State uncompromisingly and harshly,” Zhirnov emphasized.
Kabulov further said that although the security situation in Afghanistan remains tense, it is “much better than under Western occupation.” He added that the Afghan authorities are doing their best despite facing harsh economic and financial sanctions imposed by Western countries.
He also urged the United States to release nearly $10 billion in frozen Afghan assets and called on Europe to return $2.5 billion that had been deposited in a Swiss bank for humanitarian aid purposes.
“We drew attention to the fact that Afghan problems cannot be solved by meetings, conferences and so on. Afghans need concrete assistance, not promises and analysis of existing problems,” Kabulov said.
He emphasized that Russia’s support is based on honesty and practical action. Referring to the recent business forum held in Kazan in May, he noted that Russian and Afghan delegations discussed concrete, workable projects—not vague promises or empty rhetoric.
Kabulov also confirmed that the new Afghan ambassador recognized by Russia is expected to arrive in Moscow today (Tuesday, July 1).