During discussions with the security council secretaries focused on Afghan issues, Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, stated that international terrorist organizations were active in Afghanistan following what he described as the withdrawal of American forces. He cited the departure as a turning point that, in his view, allowed a destabilizing dynamic to take hold in the country, with various groups seemingly capitalizing on the power vacuum to consolidate influence and extend their reach. The Kremlin press office conveyed these remarks, framing them as a warning about growing security threats tied to the recent developments in the region.
In his remarks, the Russian leader emphasized that after the American armed forces left Afghanistan, the overall situation there did not improve. He alleged that international terrorist organizations, including Al Qaeda, have stepped up their activity, signaling a potential rise in danger to regional stability and to international interests that rely on Afghanistan’s broader security. He pointed to the expansion of operational capabilities by such organizations as a sign of the heightened risk, urging vigilance and a careful assessment of ongoing security dynamics in the country and its surrounding areas.
Putin also expressed concern about external states attempting to build or expand infrastructure inside Afghanistan under the pretext of countering international terrorism. He argued that some actors are pursuing projects that serve strategic objectives rather than effectively addressing the root causes of terrorism. According to his assessment, these efforts appear more focused on shaping regional influence and positioning rather than contributing to a genuine, comprehensive fight against extremism. He suggested that these moves have the potential to complicate the security situation further and to complicate efforts to stabilize Afghanistan in the long term.
The Russian president described the overall situation in Afghanistan as highly challenging. He underscored the complexity of securing a stable political and security framework in a country that continues to face multifaceted pressures from various militant groups, local factions, and shifting external interests. In his view, the task of restoring order and ensuring durable security requires attention to the diverse drivers of instability, including governance gaps, humanitarian concerns, and the need for credible, inclusive political processes. The statements reflected Moscow’s stance on safeguarding regional security and preventing the spillover of unrest into neighboring states, while also signaling a call for international engagement that aligns with Moscow’s policy priorities in the region.