Russia Offers to Mediate Between Afghanistan and Pakistan

DID Press: Russia has said it is ready to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan if formally requested by both sides, as tensions between the two countries remain a focus of regional diplomacy.

Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s Special Presidential Representative for Afghanistan, said Moscow could use the Moscow Format to help bring the positions of Afghanistan and Pakistan closer together if both sides formally request its assistance. Russian officials have said the Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions will be discussed at the upcoming Moscow Format meeting on October 5.

Kabulov added that Russia could use the consultations to facilitate dialogue between Kabul and Islamabad and help the two sides seek a political solution to their differences.

He said senior Afghan and Pakistani officials may also attend the upcoming Moscow Format meeting, which is scheduled to take place on October 5. Russian officials have confirmed that representatives and senior officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia and other regional countries are expected to participate.