Deteriorating Security Situation in Afghanistan Arouses Concern: Putin

Russia is worried about the escalating security situation in Afghanistan and the lack of results from NATO’s extensive presence in the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

“We are concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. International Security Assistance Force was in this country for a long time, and made some efforts, including the positive work, but in the end, it did not bring the final qualitative improvement of the situation,” said Putin.

Speaking at the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit, Putin expressed concern over the “degrading” security situation in Afghanistan and the effects of the withdrawal of combat troops from Afghanistan in December 2014.

“The danger of terrorist [and] extremist groups penetrating into Afghanistan from neighboring states has grown,” the Russian president stressed.

The Taliban has regained its foothold in Afghanistan after the United States scaled down its combat operations in the country as part of its war on terror.

These statements come as reports suggested recently that Russia may deploy soldiers on Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan in CSTO summit.

Reported by: Fahim Noori