Sergei Lavrov: The current situation in Afghanistan cannot be called stable

Russia’s foreign minister said at the third Moscow summit on Afghanistan that the current situation in Afghanistan could not be called stable because terrorists are trying to take advantage of it.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the opening of the third Moscow summit on Afghanistan that the current situation in Afghanistan could not be called stable because terrorist groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda were trying to take advantage of it.

“The new balance of power in Afghanistan, established after August 15, on the one hand, has no alternative for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, the lack of official recognition in the international arena is a problem in the social sphere,” he said. “And the economic and financial challenges, and the humanitarian challenges that the new authorities in Kabul are facing, show that the current situation in the country is still unchangeable and cannot be called sustainable.”

“Several terrorist groups are trying to take advantage of this situation,” he added. “First of all, the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, which are trying to raise their heads again and carry out bold and bloody attacks in different parts of the country.”

The third Moscow meeting on Afghanistan, to be held today with representatives from ten countries in the region and a delegation from the Taliban, will discuss the political and military situation in Afghanistan, the formation of an inclusive government and the prevention of a humanitarian crisis in the country.