The Russian president and German chancellor discussed on Friday the evolving situation in Afghanistan, along with Ukraine and Libya.
Addressing a news conference after at a meeting in Moscow on Friday, Vladimir Putin thanked Angela Merkel “for fruitful work,” saying the outgoing chancellor would always be “a dear guest” in Russia.
“The Taliban movement now controls almost the entire territory of the country (Afghanistan), including the capital. These are realities and it is from these realities that we must proceed, not allowing the collapse of the Afghan state,” Putin said.
He noted that the Taliban have already announced an end to hostilities, begun to restore public order, and promised to guarantee the safety of local residents and foreign diplomatic missions.
Source: Anadolu Agency