Russia against Turkey's proposal to keep forces in Afghanistan
Turkey's proposal to maintain troops in Afghanistan would be contrary to the*2020 deal for the pull-out of foreign forces between the United States and*Taliban, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said*on*Thursday.
Turkey plans to have its troops safeguard Kabul airport in the Afghan capital*after the United States and other coalition countries withdraw troops from the*country by next September. A continued Turkish military presence in Kabul is*seen as essential for maintaining access to the country and keeping embassies in*the Afghan capital open.
“Like any other country, Turkey's military presence in Afghanistan is legally*contrary to an agreement signed in Doha between the United States and*Taliban,” Russian state-run news site Sputnik*cited*Zakharova as saying.
“This agreement stipulates a complete withdrawal of foreign troops by May 1. It*has been postponed to September 2021, and the Taliban movement has*expressed its reluctance over foreign forces,” she said.
On Friday, a Taliban spokesman*said*Turkey should withdraw its troops from*Afghanistan.
“Why can't the security of the country's main airport be left to Afghan security*forces? Billions of dollars have been spent on equipment and training of the*Afghan forces,” Zakharova said.
In his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of Monday’s*NATO summit in Brussels, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan suggested*that Turkey could retain its troop presence in Afghanistan.
“If Turkey is not wanted to withdraw from Afghanistan and if there will be*diplomatic, logistical and financial support from the United States, it would be*very important for us,” Erdoğan*said.
“We can continue talking with the Taliban,” he added.
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