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Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
Photo:
Russian Foreign Ministry / imago images / ITAR-TASS
After the Taliban's triumph in Afghanistan, Russia is making provisions for the situation in the neighboring former Soviet republics.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sent a warning to Washington, according to the Reuters news agency: Moscow does not want to see US troops in Central Asia.
Because every state that allows US troops in its country loses its stability.
Russia also refuses to accept refugees from Afghanistan in these neighboring countries. However, Moscow is ready to act as a mediator to resolve the crisis in Afghanistan, along with China, the United States and Pakistan. No country in Central Asia or anywhere else is interested in becoming a target just for the Americans to achieve their goals, Lavrov said on a visit to Hungary.
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan border Afghanistan. Russia has promised its allies in Central Asia because of the situation in Kabul. With the Taliban coming to power in the Hindu Kush, Russia has already upgraded its military base in Tajikistan, where it has its largest foreign base. The Central Defense District of the Russian Army announced on Tuesday that several anti-tank systems of the "Kornet" type had been brought into the ex-Soviet republic. With the help of »Kornet«, enemy armored vehicles and targets in the air can be shot down with missiles. Moscow also fears that extremist fighters could invade Central Asia.
About a month ago, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the expansion of the Central Asian bases.
Russia recently took part in several military exercises with Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries.
Not far from the Afghan border, several thousand soldiers trained in August - including the defense against terrorists.
as / Reuters / dpa