Russia's Foreign Ministry warns of consequences
The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed confusion over plans to bring Kabul International Airport under Turkish military control following the withdrawal of US and NATO military contingents.
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Director Zamir Kabulov, the second department of the Asian Foreign Ministry, told Interfax that the Afghans themselves should be responsible for securing the country's main airport.
In addition, the diplomat recalled that the Taliban (an organization recognized as a terrorist in the Russian Federation) had already stated that it would not tolerate the presence of NATO troops in Afghanistan. Turkey, as you know, is a member of an alliance.
“The Taliban have made it clear that any remaining NATO contingent will be considered an occupier,” Kabulov said.
At the Ankara meeting, she also agreed to transfer the airport only to the Americans, without gaining the support of the Kabul government.
The diplomat also wondered that in 20 years of their presence in Afghanistan, the US and NATO had not been able to train 600 Afghans to operate the airport in Kabul.
In mid-June, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his readiness to maintain a military contingent in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of the United States and NATO troops. It is true that in exchange, Ankara expects Washington to pay for the Turkish army's stay in Afghanistan.
Earlier, an official at the Taliban's political office said the Turkish military's presence in Afghanistan was unacceptable. The expert asked “ MK ” about the consequences of the presence of the Turkish army in the country.