MOSCOW. July 9 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware that a Taliban delegation is visiting Moscow; these contacts are necessary in the light of the tense situation in Afghanistan, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
Journalists asked Peskov on Friday whether the president is aware that a delegation of the Taliban movement, branded as a terrorist organization in Russia, is visiting Moscow.
"Of course, Vladimir Putin is aware of that," Peskov said.
"These contacts are necessary against the backdrop of the tense situation in Afghanistan and the situation unfolding on the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. These talks are necessary," he said.
Journalists asked Peskov whether Russia is ready to recognize the Taliban as the Afghan government if the movement takes control of all of Afghan territory. "Any eventual supposition is hardly appropriate in this case, and I don't think it is possible to answer that question," he said.