Russian presidential special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov told Sputnik that any attempt by the Taliban movement to undermine security in Central Asia would lead to grave consequences. “We are closely monitoring the situation [in Afghanistan]. But when the Taliban see that any attempt to undermine the security of our allies in Central Asia will be fraught with great losses for them, they will start behaving,” Kabulov said, Sputnik quoted him as saying in its report today.
Commenting on the negotiations involving different factions in Afghanistan, Kabulov said, “It seems to me that in reality, the parties will be ready for substantial, productive negotiations in the fall. Both sides have been preparing for war for too long and until, as they say, they blow off steam, it is difficult to count on something serious….
“Now, before it is too late, the sides should come to their senses and launch substantial negotiations, which will inevitably end with the establishment of a coalition provisional authority. A coalition with the participation of the Taliban movement. What percentage and in what proportion the Taliban will be represented is the business of the Afghans. Let them decide for themselves,” Kabulov said.
