During his visit to India, in an interview with India Today, President Vladimir Putin responded to a question about the recognition of the Afghan government by stating that Afghanistan had endured years of civil conflict, but the Taliban now control the country and its governance. He emphasized, “This is a reality and a fact that we must accept.”
Putin added, “If we want to have an influence on the events taking place in this country, we must engage with its current leadership, which is exactly what we are doing.”
According to him, maintaining relations with the Afghan government is vital for having any influence over developments in Afghanistan.
He reiterated that the country is now under Taliban control and that no country can influence or manage developments in Afghanistan without engaging with the current leadership in Kabul.
Putin also praised the Taliban government’s fight against narcotics, noting a significant reduction in drug production.
He stated, “Afghan officials have significantly reduced opium production and are actively combating drug threats within their borders.”
It is worth noting that Russia is currently the only country in the world that has officially recognized the Afghan government.