Russia: Engagement with Taliban should replace Western pressure

Russia’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations announced at a Security Council meeting that resolving the Afghan crisis requires constructive engagement with the Taliban and that continuing pressure-based policies by Western countries cannot help the country’s stability.

Anna Ustigneva said at a special Security Council meeting on Afghanistan on Monday that some Western governments have not yet learned from their two-decade presence in Afghanistan and are still trying to influence the country’s development process with political approaches and unilateral pressure.

Referring to the role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), she emphasized that the organization should pursue its mission away from political considerations and in order to help the Afghan people. According to her, any perception of UNAMA’s bias in favor of Western countries could make it difficult for the Taliban to cooperate with this mission.

The Russian diplomat also stressed the importance of creating an atmosphere of trust between the Taliban and the international community, saying that maintaining communication channels and dialogue is essential to addressing Afghanistan’s challenges.

Referring to the current situation in Afghanistan, Ostigneva stated that the country continues to face problems resulting from years of war, instability, and the withdrawal of foreign forces. She added that the Taliban government is trying to expand its regional relations and strengthen the foundations of economic self-sufficiency.

She emphasized that Afghanistan today, more than ever, needs practical cooperation and non-political support from the international community, and that the country’s issues should not be a victim of geopolitical competition.

The Russian deputy representative concluded by noting that the success of the dialogue process with the Taliban depends on mutual respect, avoidance of pressure, and the readiness of all parties to cooperate. She also mentioned regional initiatives, including the Moscow Format and mechanisms related to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as effective platforms for advancing engagement with Afghanistan.

Reporter Shahbanou Nouri