Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Briefing on Afghanistan
Madam President,
We would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya, and Head of UN Women Sima Bahous. We are grateful for their assessments of the situation in Afghanistan. We are pleased to see that regional representatives have also been given the floor today.
The Russian Federation has consistently supported UNAMA's work within the framework of the mission's mandate. We note that Kabul is interested in keeping and developing contacts with the mission.
We have taken note of the Secretary-General's report on the situation in Afghanistan. And we would like to point out the following.
For several years running, the UN Security Council has been discussing the situation in that country. Contrary to the predictions of our Western colleagues about the inevitable political and economic collapse of Afghanistan, which has been dependent on international aid for years and is now facing unprecedented unilateral sanctions and a humanitarian crisis, the country has nevertheless withstood and not morphed into a “black hole.” The de facto authorities have consistently strengthened regional cooperation with the emphasis on restoring the country's socio-economic potential irrespective of the Western assistance. However, it is clear that, given the scope of the threats and problems accumulated over the 20 years of war and remained after the disgraceful flight of US and NATO troops, it will be difficult for the country to swiftly embark on the path of independent development. Its long-suffering people need our sustained and non-politicized assistance and support today more than ever.
Madam President,
The Russian Federation is advocating (as it has always done) a realistic and comprehensive approach to Afghanistan. We have repeatedly emphasized that this approach is to be premised on an objective analysis and balanced assessment of the situation. What remains imperative is the constructive and pragmatic engagement within the international community itself on the Afghan issue, with due regard to the needs of the Afghan people themselves without advancing narrow interests and double standards; it is also crucial to pursue meticulous dialogue with the de facto authorities on all pressing issues. There is no alternative to this, as there has never been and never will be any. Any pressure or blackmail is a road to nowhere. We are happy to see that this stance of ours is shared by regional actors, primarily by the participants in the Moscow format. This is also borne out by the contacts between Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan on Afghanistan. We see that the Taliban members themselves, who in June 2024 agreed to join the Doha Process under the UN aegis, remain interested in developing such engagement with the international community. This is evidenced, among other things, by the fact that they participate in UNAMA working groups on combating narcotics and on private sector issues; the meetings of those groups are scheduled to take place in Doha on June 30 through July 1.
Against this backdrop, it is regrettable that some Western donors remain persistently reluctant to acknowledge their mistakes and “pay the price.” A number of pragmatic Western colleagues have already realized the futility of attempts to make the Taliban “dance to their tune” and are inclining towards resuming broad humanitarian assistance and facilitating development, whereas others are still resorting to ultimatums when talking to the de facto authorities, they tend to maintain artificial impediments and refuse to return the foreign assets stolen from the Afghan people. This kind of approach will hardly result in realistic solutions that could truly rectify the situation in Afghanistan and build trust, nor will it help the ordinary Afghans, including women, girls, and children, even though the importance of helping those categories of people is something that they constantly trumpet about from the rooftops. However, such a hypocritical approach has nothing to do with real assistance in resolving the Afghan issue. After all, those assets, if unfrozen, could be used to build hospitals, schools, and roads.
We share the Secretary-General's assessment regarding the complex domestic political situation in Afghanistan. We remain particularly concerned about the security threats posed by the continued terrorist activity by ISIL-Khorasan. We note the efforts being made by the de facto authorities, but we see that these measures are, unfortunately, insufficient. Terrorists continue to consolidate their influence in the country and intentionally destabilize the situation by carrying out new terrorist attacks and recruiting new members. We understand why they are doing this: they are trying to establish themselves as an alternative force and undermine stability in Afghanistan and the region. The fighters themselves confirm that the terrorist groups are being financed from abroad and that they have foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) in their ranks, including those who gained combat experience in Syria and Iraq and have been transferred to Afghanistan from “hot spots.” Given the amount of weaponry left by Western military forces in the country, the risks of these weapons falling into the hands of fighters and spreading beyond the region is becoming very real. There is also a threat of terrorist activity spilling over to Central Asia and beyond.
Drug trafficking is another pressing issue closely related to terrorism. The efforts undertaken by the Taliban are insufficient. It is imperative to ensure comprehensive international and regional cooperation on this matter, including through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Particular attention needs to be paid to the threat of synthetic drugs manufacturing. Another important issue here is providing support for Afghan farmers.
Among our priorities is the socio-economic situation in the country. We commend the efforts undertaken by the UN and regional organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. We would like to particularly emphasize the selfless work by humanitarian agencies and their staff, who are ready to remain on the ground and assist the Afghan people under any circumstances. At the same time, it is regrettable that attempts by humanitarian workers to expand assistance beyond basic needs are being blocked by a number of Western donors who categorically refuse to assist in ensuring the country's development, restoring civil infrastructure, and building roads connecting provinces or cities with rural areas.
Russia systematically has been providing targeted assistance to those in need in Afghanistan. We are broadening bilateral cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, promoting the development of business dialogue and opportunities, and we are consistently inviting our Afghan colleagues to participate in international economic forums such as the “Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum” and the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
What we are also focusing on is the development of human rights for all Afghans, including women and girls, as well as the formation of a truly inclusive government with the participation of all of the country's ethnic and political groups. We hope to see progress on both tracks.
Madam President,
The Russian Federation fully supports the right and the desire of the Afghan people to live in a peaceful and prosperous country, free from drugs and terrorism. This is the key to order and stability in the region. However, building such a lasting and sustainable peace is impossible without patient engagement with the de facto authorities. It is important that we talk to the Afghans who are truly responsible for what is happening in the country, and we need to do that including in international forums. We must find a way out of the current impasse and move toward the international reintegration of Afghanistan.
Thank you.
