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Developments in Afghanistan

Russian diplomat denies reports Taliban planning visit to Moscow

On September 7, the Taliban formed an interim government in Afghanistan, which hasn’t yet been officially recognized by any country

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Moscow does not have any information on a visit reportedly planned by a delegation of Afghanistan’s interim government, formed by the Taliban (outlawed in Russia), a high-ranking Russian diplomat told TASS on Friday.

"I am not aware of any such plans," said Zamir Kabulov, Russian Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan and Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Second Asia Department, denying media reports about a visit to Moscow planned by a Taliban government delegation.

After the US administration had announced the end of Washington’s 20-year-long military operation in Afghanistan and the launch of its troop pullout, the Taliban embarked on an offensive against Afghan government forces. On August 15, 2021, Taliban fighters swept into Kabul without encountering any resistance, and gained full control over the Afghan capital within a few hours. Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani said he had stepped down to prevent any bloodshed and fled the country. On September 6, the Taliban declared a complete victory in Afghanistan and on September 7 formed an interim government, which hasn’t yet been officially recognized by any country.

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