Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that it is necessary to build relations with the Islamic Emirate due to their control over Afghanistan.

Putin told journalists on Tuesday, during a state visit to Tashkent, relations need to be built “accordingly”.

“These people (IEA) control the country and its territory and are the current rulers of Afghanistan,” he said.

Without elaborating on issues, he did however say that “everyone is aware of” current problems in the country.

“How to establish relations with the Taliban (IEA) is another question, but we must somehow [maintain] relations with them,” he added.

Referring to regional partners, including Central Asia countries, on establishing relations with the IEA, Putin said: “We take into account the opinions of each of our partners and friends and will coordinate on this issue.”

Putin’s remarks come a day after Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, put forward a proposal to remove the IEA from Moscow’s terrorist list.

Speaking to TASS news agency, Kabulov said: “This must be done. Without this, it will be premature to talk about recognition. Therefore, work on this issue continues. All considerations have been reported to the top leadership of Russia. We are waiting for a decision.”

According to him, the Islamic Emirate government has come a long way towards being recognized since it came to power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

“But there are still a few hurdles to overcome, after which the Russian leadership will make a decision,” Kabulov pointed out.

In reaction, John Kirby, the National Security Communications Advisor of the White House, said on Tuesday that Russia’s investigation into the removal of the IEA from the list of terrorist groups and the possible recognition could send a “terrible message” to other countries.

In response to a question whether this Russian action will have a message for America’s competitors, including China and Iran, Kirby said: “We think that [this action] will have a terrible message.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that its Strategic Studies Center has conducted a discussion on the upcoming Doha meeting and how the Islamic Emirate interacts with the international community.

According to the ministry, Mohammad Zakir Jalali Director of the third political department of the IEA MFA, employees of various departments and diplomats took part in the discussion.

Jalali said in this discussion that compared to the first and second Doha meetings, a positive change can be observed in the interaction of the organizers and the hosts with regards to the third meeting.

He said the Islamic Emirate wants positive interaction with the international community; but does not want this interaction to be at the cost of political independence, religious and national values, and the dignity of the system and homeland.

The Presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan this week discussed the issue of Afghanistan and emphasized the need for peace and stability in the country.

TASS News Agency reported that Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted this in a joint statement during the Russian President’s visit to Uzbekistan.

“The leaders of the countries prioritize achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan as a factor influencing the security of Central Asia and neighboring regions,” the statement read.

Both countries “intend to coordinate their efforts within the framework of the Moscow format, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and other mechanisms to achieve concrete results in resolving the situation in Afghanistan.”

They also assessed the first session of the working group on the development of the Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan transport corridor.

Putin visited Uzbekistan this week and reportedly signed an agreement with his Uzbek counterpart to establish a “small nuclear power plant.”

According to the Associated Press, Russia will build this plant – Central Asia’s first since the Soviet Union’s collapse.