Putin: We do not want Afghan militants in Russia

MOSCOW, Aug 22 (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin on Sunday rejected the idea of ​​sending evacuation of people from Afghanistan to countries close to Russia, saying he did not want “militants to show up here under cover. of refugees, “Russian news agencies reported.

Putin criticized the idea of ​​some Western countries to move refugees from Afghanistan to neighboring Central Asian countries while processing their visas in the United States and Europe.

“Does this mean that they can be sent without visas to these countries, to our neighbors, while they themselves (the West) do not want to be brought without visas?” The TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying this to leaders of the ruling United Russia party.

“Why is there such a humiliating approach to solving the problem?” He said.

The United States has held secret talks with several countries in a desperate attempt to reach agreements to temporarily house at-risk Afghans working in the U.S. government, Reuters reported last week. Read more

Putin said Russia, which allows visa-free travel for residents of former Soviet Central Asian countries, opposes it.

“We do not want militants to appear here under the cover of refugees,” TASS told Putin.

While some Western nations are firing to evacuate people from Afghanistan, Moscow praised the Taliban for restoring order after the country was taken.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Taliban leaders had kept their promises so far.

“We are seeing the statements made by the Taliban on the cessation of hostilities, an amnesty for all those involved in the confrontation, on the need for dialogue at the national level … they are being implemented.” said RIA.

Lavrov said the Taliban had initiated contacts with former Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Report by Maria Tsvetkova Edited by Raissa Kasolowsky and Giles Elgood

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