Russia’s President Vladimir Putin concentrated upon the Afghanistan situation today, emphasizing the “Extended Troika” of Russia, China, the U.S. and Pakistan, which he says is “in progress.” In addressing the joint summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and the Cooperative Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Dushanbe, today, Putin explained: “The Taliban movement, which has become virtually the complete master of the country, has established its own government that has assumed responsibility for the future of Afghanistan. According to the Talibs themselves, this is an interim government, and it cannot be called truly all-inclusive; nor does it represent all segments.
There are no members of other ethnic groups in it. We do not see representatives of other ethnic groups here, but it appears that we, of course, should also work with it.
“Speaking of recognition, I agree with those who have spoken on this matter that it is necessary to coordinate our position on this issue.” The President’s remarks were posted on his website: http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/66707
At the joint meeting, Putin indicted the West’s bankrupt and murderous policy. Afghanistan has ended up in a state of complete economic and social devastation over the 20 years of the Western coalition’s presence. “The weapons are perhaps the only thing that the Taliban has made a good haul of over the Western coalition’s 20-year presence in Afghanistan, which bodes no good. Other than that, the country is in a state of complete economic and social havoc.”
But this means that the U.S. should actually be brought back into Afghanistan. According to Putin, “We would consider it optimal to launch this dialogue under the expanded Troika format on Afghanistan, and work is now underway in this direction,” referring to Russia, China, Pakistan, and the U.S.
