Moscow says it will send troops to Afghanistan to fight terrorism, if Afghan government asks so.
Russian President’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, has said in an interview that Moscow will discuss the issue of military assistance with Kabul after the formation of new government.
“As regards the fight against terrorism and military assistance to Afghanistan in this matter, let’s wait until there is a normal government in Kabul and we will discuss military assistance with it,” said the presidential envoy.
He also noted that Russia had already come up with a similar initiative, but it was not properly evaluated. “We at one time offered help that either the Americans or the Afghans provided with various conditions. We do not impose our good offices, but when we are politely asked, we are ready to do so. The terms of assistance will be determined by the Russian leadership,” Kabulov said.
He also assessed the cessation by the Taliban of the previously declared truce with government forces and the resumption of hostilities against official Kabul. “The Taliban movement did not take any obligations to end the war with government forces. The Taliban took a week of respite at the insistence of the Americans, and this truce was respected. There are no violations of the Doha agreement,” the diplomat emphasized.
