Russia: Kremlin says NATO 'bears responsibility' for Afghanistan security
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 31 December 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Kremlin says NATO 'bears responsibility' for Afghanistan security, 31 December 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54be13f8c.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 31, 2014
By RFE/RL
Moscow says NATO continues to bear responsibility for the security situation in Afghanistan, even though the UN-mandated international security force ended its mission on December 28.
In a December 31 statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) "failed to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan during the 13 years of the ISAF presence."
The statement said Moscow views NATO's Resolute Support mission – although it is limited mainly to providing security training and consultation – as "the direct successor of ISAF."
On December 29, Zamir Kabulov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special representative for Afghanistan, told the news agency Interfax that he saw signs the Taliban intends to "mount a major offensive" in Afghanistan in the spring.
He added that representatives of the militant group Islamic State are in Afghanistan trying to recruit supporters.
Kabulov also said that Moscow ultimately backed the Resolute Support mission after initially criticizing it because "it is better than nothing."
With reporting by Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
