VLADIVOSTOK. Sept 3 (Interfax) - Russia is not interested in Afghanistan's disintegration, and the sooner the Taliban (banned in Russia) arranges civilized relations with other countries, the easier it will be to maintain dialogue with them, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Russia isn't interested in Afghanistan disintegrating. If that happens, then there'll be no one to talk with. And if that's the case, let's think that, the sooner the Taliban joins, so to speak, the family of civilized nations, the easier it will be to contact, communicate with, and somehow influence them. And ask them questions, and if not demand, then raise the issue of the need to observe certain civilized rules within the framework of these civilized relations," Putin said at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum on Friday.
"And in case of disintegration, there'll be no one to talk with. There is also the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan [banned in Russia] and whatnot in Afghanistan's territory nowadays. And all of this threatens our allies and neighbors. And if you take into account that we have no visa restrictions and that our borders can be crossed practically freely, this is also of very serious significance to us, Russia, from the viewpoint of our security," Putin said.
All countries should combine efforts "to oppose these problems together," he said.
"I agree with the president of Kazakhstan, of course, we should decide together on the matter of legalization of political forces in Afghanistan itself, watching what's happening in real life," Putin said.
"This is what we need to do, combine efforts. And when I hear from some high-ranking representatives, like, for instance, from the United States, that they'll disengage some resources now and focus their efforts on continuing to counter China or Russia, I am tempted to say: Listen, first you'd better deal with those you've fought for 20 years and then say that you're going to oppose Russia and China," he said.
"Why make such statements at this very moment? I'd repeat that it's necessary to come together to efficiently oppose things like terrorism, for the sake of which the U.S. sent its troops to Afghanistan, or drugs, or organized crime. There are common threats, and since they're common, they can be opposed efficiently only together," Putin said.