Resistance to the Taliban is doomed, the Russian envoy to Afghanistan says

MOSCOW, August 20 (Reuters) – Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan praised the Taliban’s conduct on Friday in the aftermath of its inauguration, saying there was no alternative to the harsh Islamist group and that the resistance to this would fail.

Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov’s comments reflect Russia’s efforts to deepen ties already established with the Taliban, while failing to recognize them as the legitimate rulers of a country Moscow tried and failed to control. before the Soviet Union withdrew the last forces in 1989. read more

Russia wants to make sure that instability in Afghanistan does not spread to Central Asia, which is part of the former Soviet Union which considers its own garden, and that the region does not become a launching pad. for other extreme Islamist groups.

Speaking to Reuters’ Zoom from Kabul, Zhirnov said the security situation in the capital was much better than before the Taliban took control of it and spoke optimistically about the future.

“Humor in Kabul can be described as a prudent hope,” Zhirnov said.

“There was a bad regime that disappeared and people have hope. They say it can’t be worse, so it should be better. But this is another test that the Taliban must go through. After restoring order , they should start to improve the economic situation, “he said.

Kabul has been largely quiet, except at and around the airport, where 12 people have been killed since Sunday, according to NATO and Taliban officials.

Zhirnov’s comments contrast sharply with those of some deeply skeptical Western politicians and activists that the Taliban have moderated violence against those they consider incompatible with their nascent emirate governed by strict Islamic law.

Zhirnov said the facts on the ground had changed and the Taliban had made a number of encouraging promises.

“We cannot ignore reality. They (the Taliban) are the de facto authorities. There is no alternative to the Taliban in Afghanistan,” Zhirnov said.

Ahmad Shah Massoud’s son, one of the main leaders of Afghanistan’s anti-Soviet resistance in the 1980s, has pledged to resist the Taliban from his stronghold in the Panjshir Valley, north of Kabul. Read more

Afghan First Vice President Amrullah Saleh has also said he is in Afghanistan and is the “legitimate interim president” following the departure of President Ashraf Ghani. Read more

Zhirnov said Saleh’s statement violated the constitution and that Panjshir’s attempts to resist the Taliban were condemned.

“They don’t have military prospects. There aren’t many people. As far as we know, they have 7,000 people armed. And they already have problems with fuel. They tried to fly a helicopter but they don’t have gasoline or supplies,” he said. dit.

Zhirnov also questioned the idea that all Afghans trying to flee the country were doing so because of the Taliban.

“A lot of people now see this situation now as a possible ticket to a new life (in the West) and that may not be related to the Taliban,” he said of the chaotic exodus. Read more

Report by Maria Vasilyeva Written by Andrew Osborn Edited by Philippa Fletcher

Our standards: the principles of trust of Thomson Reuters.