Putin: US, NATO must carry cost of reconstruction

Putin, who is in isolation as a measure against COVID-19, participated in two summits of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) and the Organisation of the Collective Security Treaty (CSTO), held in the capital of Tajikistan Dusanbe, via a video connection, Anadolu writes, broadcast Klaankosova.tv.

Voicing support for contacts between SCO and Afghanistan, Putin stressed that the organisation must double efforts to prevent terrorism threats, drug trafficking and religious extremism originating from Afghanistan.

He also added that the US and NATO, which he said were primarily responsible for the situation in Afghanistan, should carry the cost of rebuilding the war-torn country.

“We support the decision to launch Iran's membership process in SCO, which has been submitted for approval to the Council of Leaders of the SCO States”, Putin added.

Voicing serious concern over the situation in the Panjshire Valley and generally recent developments in Afghanistan, he called for closer co-operation among the armed forces of the SCO member states.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's President Sasym-Zhomart Toqaev proposed establishing a centre in the southeastern province of Almay for international aid to Afghanistan.

Uzbekistan's president, Shavkat Mirziyoev, whose country also borders Afghanistan, called for unblocking domestic assets held in foreign banks to facilitate dialogue with the Taliban-led government in Kabul.

Praising the SCO's contribution to regional security since its formation, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Jaaprov called for the creation of a security belt in the region.