Russian deputy Foreign Minister: the situation in Afghanistan has always been a subject of discussion at the CSTO

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation does not see the need to “escalate to demonstrate power” at the level of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in connection with the situation in Afghanistan.
Aleksandr Pankin, deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, said this to reporters in Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, on Thursday, TASS reports.
“The situation in Afghanistan has always been a subject of discussion at the CSTO, states have held consultations, statements are being made,” he said, adding that “Russia holds bilateral talks together with Kazakhstan.”
Mr Pankin emphasized that “CSTO’s task is to protect the southern borders, primarily Tajikistan’s and Turkmenistan’s.”
“If you mean more radical measures, [we will react] as and when, God forbid, there are preconditions for it. For the time being, no escalation to demonstrate power is planned,” the Russian deputy Foreign Minister said.
Mr Pankin also added that the Russian side maintains active bilateral contacts with the states bordering the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in connection with the Afghan situation.
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