US may deploy military forces, hardware in bases near Afghanistan: Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the United States may deploy military forces and equipment in bases in Afghanistan's neighboring countries following the end of the war in the Asian country.
Lavrov said in an interview with Rossiya-24 television news channel on Monday that it was likely the United States would press ahead with plans to deploy its military infrastructure in the territory of countries neighboring Afghanistan following the abrupt withdrawal of US-led NATO forces in August.
"Well aware of the Americans' intrusiveness, I do not rule out that they will be pressing for the same aim from different sides. I've heard that they have been trying to persuade India to grant the Pentagon some opportunities on the Indian territory," he said.
Lavrov reiterated Moscow's firm opposition to the move, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin had told his US counterpart, Joe Biden, at a Geneva summit in July that "Russia is categorically against attempts to conclude agreements with the Central Asian countries on the deployment of US military infrastructure on their territory with the aim of delivering so-called over-the-horizon strikes against targets in Afghan territory."
The top Russian diplomat said such proposals from the United States regarding the deployment of foreign bases in a foreign country's territory had already been rejected by Pakistan and Uzbekistan. "Kyrgyzstan, too, as represented by its president, said it does not wish this, either," Lavrov added.
The Russian foreign minister urged Afghanistan's neighbors in a video message on October 27 to prevent US and NATO military presence on their territories.
The United States and its NATO allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the pretext that the Taliban militants were harboring al-Qaeda. The invasion removed the Taliban from power but it worsened the security situation in the country.
The government of Afghanistan rapidly collapsed on August 15 as the Taliban advanced in the country.
On September 7, the Taliban announced the formation of a caretaker government, which has yet to be formally recognized by the international community.
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