China and Russia show a common front in Afghanistan

BEIJING, Aug 25 (Reuters) – Chinese and Russian leaders discussed Afghanistan on Wednesday, according to Chinese state media, but did not echo the G7’s call for the Taliban to allow the country to flee later. of August 31, as desperate crowds left behind the withdrawal of American troops continues to fear for their safety.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged views on Afghanistan in a call on Wednesday, a day after the leaders of the Group of Seven countries met to discuss the crisis.

China and Russia are not part of the G7, a group of rich democracies that includes the United States and Britain.

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the United States plans to end evacuations on Aug. 31. The Taliban said all foreign evacuations in the country should be completed by then.

G7 leaders agreed on Tuesday to pressure the Taliban to allow safe passage for Afghans who want to leave after August 31.

In Wednesday’s call with Putin, Xi reiterated China’s position not to interfere and to respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty and independence, China’s People’s Daily reported.

The report said Putin told Xi that he shares China’s positions and interests in Afghanistan and that he is willing to work with China to “prevent foreign forces from interfering and destroying” Afghanistan.

Xi urged all parts of Afghanistan to build an open and inclusive political framework, implement moderate and stable policies, and sever ties with all terrorist groups.

Putin said Russia also wants to work with China to fight terrorism and drug smuggling and prevent security risks from “spreading” from Afghanistan.

Yew Lun Tian Reports; Edited by Giles Elgood

Our standards: the principles of trust of Thomson Reuters.