UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – Afghanistan would welcome Russia’s assistance in providing technical support and intelligence data for the country’s security, UN Secretary-General Special Representative Nicholas Haysom said.
“So, we think everybody can also assist in its security challenges, including of course Russia. We note that the minister of defense in Afghanistan has appealed directly for assistance from Russia,” Haysom, who is also the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, told RIA Novosti in an interview.
“I am sure they would look at assistance more broadly, also intelligence and other forms of practical collaboration,” Haysom said.
Afghanistan is in a political and social turmoil, with the Taliban and other extremist factions such as Daesh (Islamic State, outlawed in Russia) taking advantage of instability in the country.
In July, the first round of peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban insurgents took place, which were followed by a number of reconciliation meetings, but stalled later. Earlier this week, Kabul and Islamabad, a mediator in Afghan peace talks, agreed to "take joint action" against the Taliban and other insurgents refusing to engage in the peace process.
