MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Russia believes that the Taliban (banned in Russia) is a viable negotiating partner, emphasizing the need to break existing stereotypes around Afghanistan, Timofey Boikov, Head of the Second Asian Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said.

"Russia is developing relations with Kabul and the interim government. We believe that the Taliban is capable of coming to agreements. We believe that they are in full control of the situation in the country. We are building equal relations with them in the interests of trade and economic cooperation," the diplomat said at a discussion on Afghanistan at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The senior diplomat pointed out that today, it is important to have a frank discussion "explaining what is happening in Afghanistan with a focus on removing the stigma surrounding the country."