Kremlin says Russia maintains dialogue with IEA to address key issues

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Moscow maintains an active dialogue with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) in order to resolve pressing issues.

“The fact is that this is our neighboring country. In one form or another, we maintain communication with them. We have to resolve pressing issues, which also requires dialogue.

“In fact, we are in contact with them just like everyone else. They are actually the ones who are in power in Afghanistan,” Peskov said.

Speaking to journalists, Peskov said when asked to comment on a Russian Foreign Ministry statement about possibly removing the IEA from the Kremlin’s blacklist that the “option is under consideration. Let’s wait until this process ends.”

Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said earlier that an IEA delegation had been invited to take part in the “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” scheduled to take place in the city of Kazan from May 14 to 19.

However, the IEA has not yet confirmed whether it will attend the event.