Russia ready to help end Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict if asked, envoy says
In short
Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s presidential special representative for Afghanistan, said Moscow is ready to help stop the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan if both sides ask for it. He said Russia could act on its own or together with other partners, and that the issue was raised in a meeting between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki. Participants in Monday’s consultations under the Moscow format called on both sides to refrain from military actions and offered to help find a political and diplomatic solution.
Why it matters
The statements put Moscow forward as a possible mediator between Afghanistan and Pakistan through the Moscow format, a channel in which Russia already convenes regional consultations. Any practical role depends on both sides requesting assistance, which the documents do not say has happened. The coverage gives no details on the state of the fighting or on the positions of Kabul and Islamabad.
Key facts
- Russia is ready to help end the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan if both sides request it, presidential special representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Kabulov said Russia could provide assistance on its own or together with other partners. [ 2 ]
- Kabulov said the issue was raised during a bilateral meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki. [ 2 ]
- Kabulov said participants in Monday’s consultations under the Moscow format urged both sides to refrain from military actions against each other. [ 2 ]
- Kabulov said civilians suffer most from the hostilities between the two sides. [ 2 ]
- According to Kabulov, participants in the Moscow format consultations expressed readiness to help find a political and diplomatic solution. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Afghanistan or Pakistan has asked Russia to mediate. The documents say Russia is ready to act “при условии, что обе стороны обратятся с такой просьбой”, indicating no request had been received, but neither side’s position is reported.
- Which countries took part in Monday’s Moscow format consultations and what they agreed, beyond the joint call reported by Kabulov. Only one document, Interfax, reports the consultations, and it does not name the participants or give a separate statement.
- The state of the fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the scale of civilian harm. The documents refer to a conflict and to civilians suffering but give no details, figures or locations.
- Whether Lavrov’s offer to Kabul was made publicly or in the bilateral meeting only. The account comes from Kabulov’s remarks to journalists as reported by a single outlet.