MINSK, 23 August (BelTA) – The CSTO will develop a plan of joint response to the threats emanating from Afghanistan by 16 September, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, TASS reported.
“Following the CSTO emergency meeting, the heads of state and government agreed to instruct the councils of the ministers of foreign affairs and defense, the committee of secretaries of the security councils together with the secretariat to promptly develop measures for a joint response to the potential threats coming from Afghanistan,” Dmitry Peskov noted.
According to him, due to the current situation, there are real risks for the entire Eurasian region and the world as a whole. “This was emphasized by the participants of the meeting, and the leaders expect the instruction to be executed by 16 September, when the leaders are to meet again for a session of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Dushanbe,” Dmitry Peskov said, adding that this dialogue would be continued as well.
The leaders of the CSTO member states took part in an emergency session of the Collective Security Council on 23 August. The decision to hold the meeting was made in the light of the recent developments in Afghanistan. The meeting's agenda included issues of ensuring the security of the CSTO member states in the context of the unfolding situation in Afghanistan. The leaders also discussed effective joint response to possible cross-border challenges and threats.
The situation in Afghanistan escalated after U.S. President Joe Biden announced the decision in April to end the operation in Afghanistan. After that, the Taliban ramped up their offensive and on 15 August took complete control of Kabul within a few hours. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani resigned as head of state and left the country.
