ISLAMABAD: Russia has expressed renewed concern about the security situation in Afghanistan, warning that the militant group ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) is seeking to use Afghan territory as a base to expand its activities across Central Asia and to establish a self-proclaimed caliphate.
In a message at an international conference, "Capacity Building to Prevent the Supply of Weapons to Terrorists in Central Asia,” held in Moscow on July 15, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that ISIS-K aims to exploit Afghanistan as a launchpad for its regional ambitions.
According to Lavrov, the terrorist organization remains the primary security threat facing Central Asia.
The Russian foreign minister stressed that terrorism is a transnational challenge requiring unconditional international cooperation.
He also criticized what he described as "double standards" in global counterterrorism efforts, arguing that geopolitical rivalries have weakened the international response to extremist threats.
Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's commitment to regional security, noting that member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization have approved a draft counterterrorism strategy through 2030.
The strategy is expected to be presented to regional leaders for final approval later this year.
“Russia is among the top contributors to the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, having allocated seven million dollars to support a technical assistance program in Central Asia and Africa,” Lavrov said.
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said ISIS-K no longer maintains an operational or physical presence in Afghanistan, claiming Taliban forces have dismantled the group's activities across the country.
Despite Moscow's expanding diplomatic engagement with the Taliban, Russian officials have continued to voice concerns over extremist groups operating in Afghanistan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov have previously warned that terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan continue to pose risks to neighboring states.
