Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during a meeting with CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadikov, said that security threats in Central Asia and developments in Afghanistan remain a key concern for the organization.
Lavrov added that member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) are assessing security risks in Central Asia and are concerned about the potential spread of instability in the region.
He said:
“The challenges facing the CSTO are new threats, which I consider linked to the situation in Central Asia, as well as what is happening in Afghanistan.”
The CSTO includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and any threat to a member state is considered a common concern.
At the same time, some Indian media outlets reported that Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs published questions and answers from Lavrov’s annual press conference.
In response to a question about whether Moscow would mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan, or Pakistan and India, Lavrov said that Russia is not interested in taking on a mediating role, but would cooperate if requested by the countries involved.
Lavrov stated:
“Russia does not play a mediating role between these countries, but we are always ready to cooperate to help resolve disputes; this can happen if a formal request is made.”
The Islamic Emirate has not responded to Russia’s recent concerns, though previously it has rejected security threat claims from Afghanistan raised by neighboring and regional countries, including Russia.
Analysts say that Russia’s stance is influenced by political competition with Western countries in the region. They note that the current level of interaction between Moscow and Kabul can largely manage these security concerns.
Political analyst Rohullah Hotak said:
“Some statements by countries regarding Russia’s security concerns about Afghanistan, in my view, are being used to achieve certain objectives. Actions within the region are sometimes aimed at creating instability. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seeks to manage these concerns through cooperation, as shown by its participation in formal recognition talks and Shanghai Cooperation Organization meetings.”
Lavrov’s remarks on potential security threats from Afghanistan come after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Secretary of the National Security Council Sergey Shoygu raised similar concerns, but the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly assured Russia and other countries that no threats will emanate from Afghan territory.
