‘Kabul was quickly abandoned by country’s leader’: Russia at UN

Aug 16, 2021

New York (US), Aug 17 (ANI): Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Vasily Nebenzya on Monday urged all Afghan parties to refrain from hostilities and to foster a settlement peacefully. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing and consultation on Afghanistan, Nebenzya said the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan over recent months, has led to a sharp worsening humanitarian situation and referred to reports about flows of refugees across the country's border. Nebenzya referred to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani leaving the country and said Kabul “was quickly abandoned by the country's leader.” He said the international community must help Afghanistan and must pull their efforts. “As regards our future official steps official steps regarding the Taliban, we will interact with them, irrespective of the evolving situation, and their specific actions accord,” he said. “We urge all Afghan parties to refrain from hostilities and to foster a settlement peacefully. We still want to see a swift peaceful settlement in Afghanistan, and the subsequent stabilization of the country and its post-conflict recovery. We're convinced, an end to the years-long, bloody war, and having a national reconciliation would benefit all the people of Afghanistan, its regional neighbours, and the world as a whole,” he added. Nebenzya said Russia is continuing to closely monitor the situation in the country. “Currently we believe that there is no point in panicking. The main point is that a widespread bloodbath among civilians has been avoided,” he added.