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Lavrov rejects possibility of using Taliban to fight Islamic State

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Russian diplomat slams claims about alleged Russian support for Taliban

SOCHI, August 21. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has rejected the possibility of representatives of the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) being used by Russia to fight the Islamic State (IS, terror group, outlawed in Russia).

"I cannot imagine even hypothetically how Russia can use the Taliban to fight the IS," he told reporters at a news conference with Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic on Tuesday. "We are fighting against ISIL using all available means. We support Syria in this struggle and provide assistance to equip Iraq’s army for the same purposes."

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