Russia warns against NATO’s Return to Afghanistan’s Geopolitical Game

Russia has warned against NATO’s return to Afghanistan, expressing concerns over geopolitical interference and the potential destabilization of the region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has sharply criticized the “questionable engagement” of Western countries with the Taliban, particularly condemning any potential return of NATO military facilities to Afghanistan. Lavrov described such a move as unacceptable, labeling it as a “time bomb,” without providing further details on NATO’s plans.

The comments came after the U.S. President Donald Trump expressed interest in controlling Bagram Airbase to monitor China’s nuclear facilities, though no confirmed reports have surfaced regarding NATO’s intentions to return military assets to Afghanistan.

In a press briefing in Samarkand on Wednesday, Lavrov highlighted that Western nations, through the United Nations, had begun a new diplomatic framework in Doha, signaling a renewed interest in Afghanistan. He stated, “We are seeing the West actively trying to re-enter the Afghanistan game, a game they left after the Taliban’s return.”

While Russia does not oppose Western presence in Central Asia, Lavrov warned against actions he deemed unacceptable, specifically referencing NATO’s potential military re-establishment in Afghanistan. He stressed, “Returning NATO’s military facilities to Afghanistan under various pretexts is unacceptable, and such efforts are like setting a new time bomb.”

Lavrov also emphasized Russia’s continued engagement with Afghanistan, stating that removing the Taliban from Russia’s list of terrorist organizations was essential for facilitating cooperation. He acknowledged that the Taliban now controls Kabul and argued that practical policies should be based on this reality, rather than ideological positions.

In parallel, Lavrov announced that a summit between Russia and Central Asian leaders is planned for October, to be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The summit aims to enhance regional cooperation across various sectors.

Lavrov also remarked that Russia is closely monitoring Western attempts to increase influence in Central Asia and other strategic regions, emphasizing Russia’s firm stance against the politicization of cooperation and ideological imposition.

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