NOVO-OGARYOVO, July 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia will exert maximum effort to help Afghanistan's authorities control the situation after the withdrawal of NATO-led coalition troops, Russia's President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday.

"We hope that the Afghan authorities will take control over the situation. We will contribute to it," the president said.

"The upcoming withdrawal will not improve the situation. We should be ready for any developments. But, of course, we will hope for the best," he added.