Putin, Xi Pledge Ongoing Cooperation To Build United, Peaceful Afghanistan

In a joint statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that Moscow and Beijing will continue their collaboration on Afghanistan, working towards the establishment of an independent, neutral, united, and peaceful nation.

The two leaders underscored the importance of regional platforms in facilitating a political resolution to the Afghan crisis.

The Moscow Format and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are key platforms through which Russia and China engage on Afghanistan-related issues. The statement highlighted both countries’ intent to deepen cooperation, both bilaterally and through multilateral avenues, to support a peaceful Afghanistan free from terrorism and drug trafficking, and one that lives in harmony with its neighbours.

Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Thursday and attended Russia’s Victory Parade on Friday, which marked the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The two presidents held a bilateral meeting on Thursday evening, during which they issued the joint statement.

Although neither Russia nor China officially recognises the Taliban, similar to most other countries, they maintain close diplomatic and economic relations with the group.

On 17 April, Russia’s Supreme Court approved a request from the Prosecutor General to suspend the Taliban’s designation as a terrorist organisation. Oleg Nefedov, a judge at the Supreme Court, confirmed that the decision to lift the ban on the Taliban’s activities is effective immediately.