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Putin says humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan ‘deteriorating’ and drug cultivation ‘rising’
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday described the situation in Afghanistan as “very difficult” but that Moscow remains in contact with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).
Addressing a regional security meeting in Moscow, Putin said: “The situation is very difficult but we are doing everything for solutions to be found.”
“We have established communication with the leadership of Afghanistan in Kabul. We know there are plans to carry out major economic projects that could stabilize the economic situation,” Putin said.
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, Putin said Afghanistan’s situation has not improved since the withdrawal of foreign and US troops.
“Unfortunately, the situation in Afghanistan is not getting any better following the pullout of US forces from the country. International terrorist organizations are ramping up their activities, including Al-Qaeda, which is strengthening its capabilities,” he said at the meeting that was attended by security chief from regional countries.
Putin stated that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan was deteriorating and that drug trafficking is increasing.
“Drug trafficking is rising. Unfortunately, poppy crops are expanding. As far as I know, 80% of opiates on the global market originate from Afghanistan,” he said.
Putin emphasized that Russia is concerned about the attempts to exploit the situation in Afghanistan, where “non-regional countries build and expand infrastructure facilities, which they are going to create under the guise of fighting international terrorism.”
According to TASS, he stressed that these countries “are not doing anything that would be required for a genuine fight against global terrorism.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced on Tuesday the release of American citizen Dennis Coyle from prison.
According to the ministry, Coyle’s mother had written to the leader of the Islamic Emirate demanding amnesty and the release of her son on the occasion of Eid. The Supreme Court considered time served sufficient and decided to release him.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this action was carried out on the basis of humanitarianism and good faith, and it believes that such measures can strengthen trust between countries. The ministry also expressed hope that both countries, in the future, can find solutions to remaining issues through mutual understanding and constructive dialogue.
The Islamic Emirate also expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the United Arab Emirates in this matter.
Separately, for Coyle’s release, an American delegation, including Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, met on Tuesday with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate.
The meeting was also attended by Saif Mohammed Al-Ketbi, Ambassador of the UAE in Kabul, and a member of the prisoner’s family.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi stated that the Islamic Emirate has not detained any citizen of any country to achieve political objectives; rather, detentions were the result of legal violations, and individuals were released after completing judicial procedures.
At the meeting, Khalilzad praised the action of the Islamic Emirate and emphasized the importance of continuing discussions on all issues between the two countries, expressing hope for further progress in the future.
Muttaqi also stressed that Kabul and the UAE should provide standard consular services to their citizens, and that the Afghan government is fully prepared in this regard.
He thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for their constructive role in facilitating the release of the prisoner and referred to the UAE as a close friend of Afghanistan.
Earlier, Muttaqi had also praised the role of the State of Qatar in facilitating information exchange between the Islamic Emirate and the prisoner’s family.
Additionally, the UAE ambassador expressed his country’s readiness to play a role in humanitarian institutions and called such developments beneficial for everyone.
The United Kingdom has announced an additional £3 million (AFN 257 million) in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, aimed at supporting people affected by natural disasters and other shocks.
Richard Lindsay, in a post on X, said the funding will be used to provide essential nutrition supplies and related support to vulnerable populations.
The new allocation brings the UK’s total bilateral assistance to Afghanistan for the current financial year to £154 million (AFN 13.18 billion).
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