New Afghan authorities can count on Russian help
Taliban (a terrorist group banned in Russia) visited Moscow again on October 20. However, unlike their previous visits, where political issues were discussed, the focus is now on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban have been de facto in power since the summer – no one has yet formally recognized them as the country's legitimate leadership. We found out what the Moscow format can provide to Afghans and what the future prospects are for the negotiation process.
Amir Khan Muttaki. Photo: AP
Negotiations on the arrival of a Taliban delegation in the Russian capital have been ongoing for some time. Alarming was the fact that the Taliban did not respond to the first official invitation, and even then their reaction was ambiguous. However, they assured themselves that the delay was caused by technical difficulties, and they were always happy to talk to Russian officials.
As a result, the visit took place: on the morning of 20 October, a very representative delegation, including Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki, arrived in Moscow and settled at the President Hotel, where several meetings were held with Russian officials. Among the Taliban's counterparts was Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, which in itself demonstrates the importance of the negotiations. Despite rumors circulating earlier, Vladimir Putin did not meet with the Afghan leadership: in fact, the status of the visit did not require it.
Even before the talks began, the Taliban acknowledged the likelihood of a series of meetings not only with department heads. The Taliban's activities are easy to understand: the movement is now trying to be as active as possible in the diplomatic field, working “across the square”, ie trying to cover all areas promising to it. Recently, representatives of the movement met in Doha with representatives of the USA and the European Union. Meetings were faster. probing the land without leading to breakthrough solutions: it is logical that in Kabul, under these conditions, they do not forget about Russian overheads.
Even before arriving in Moscow, the range of topics of the negotiations was clearly defined – the settlement of the humanitarian situation in the republic and the formation of an inclusive government. Russia has repeatedly stressed that the arrival of the Taliban means their recognition as a legitimate government by the Kremlin. But the Taliban don't seem to be counting on it anyway – there are unresolved issues and more serious ones.
As noted by a political scientist and orientalist, a native of Afghanistan, Dr. Mohammad AMIN, in an interview with the Ministry of Culture, is now the main problem of the general decline of the Afghan infrastructure left after the US contingent's long stay in the country.
– The United States has deliberately created the conditions for economic collapse, – the expert reminded. – We have a long-standing relationship with Russia, and the Afghan people are, of course, hoping for humanitarian aid from Russia. And I believe that an agreement on this issue between Moscow and the Taliban will eventually be reached. At the same time, Dr. Amin emphasizes, the Russian side, like the Americans, should not be afraid that the aid provided will end up in the pockets of the Taliban. “No need to worry, the Taliban are very serious people and do not tolerate theft,” notes the political scientist. “Any aid will reach the Afghan people. Of course, Russia can involve its diplomatic staff in Afghanistan to control the distribution of aid, but overall this is not a problem. The Taliban cannot tolerate theft and corruption, at least for religious reasons.” “
Another goal of the Taliban is to “defrost” Afghan accounts, but in this case Russia cannot help: assets have been blocked in line with Western sanctions, but while the United States and the European Union are in no hurry to make concessions a chance to take over the humanitarian agenda and take the initiative from so-called foreign partners