Russia Urges Direct Engagement with Taliban to Resolve Afghanistan Crisis

DID Press: Russia has stressed that Afghanistan’s crisis cannot be resolved without sustained dialogue with the Taliban, warning that turning the UN mission in the country into a Western pressure tool could undermine its mandate.

Anna Evstigneeva, Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said a realistic approach and continuous engagement with the Taliban authorities are essential for any durable solution to Afghanistan’s situation. She made the remarks during discussions on renewing the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), emphasizing the need for ongoing international efforts to support stability and development.

She also welcomed China’s initiatives aimed at finding compromise-based solutions for Afghanistan, stating that the UNAMA mandate renewal focuses on helping the Afghan people build a peaceful, prosperous, and drug-free country.

The Russian envoy cautioned that transforming UNAMA into a monitoring structure serving Western interests would be unacceptable and could seriously jeopardize the UN’s presence and effectiveness in Afghanistan.