Russia will not deploy forces in Afghanistan: Putin

President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia would not deploy its armed force to Afghanistan to take part in a conflict and that Moscow had learnt the lessons of the Soviet Union’s decade-long failed intervention there, Reuters reported.

Putin was speaking to a congress of the ruling United Russia party, Reuters reported.

“It goes without saying that we do not plan to interfere in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs let alone deploy our armed forces in a conflict,” said Putin.

“The USSR had its own experience in that country. We have drawn the necessary lessons.”

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that China, the United States and Pakistan are interested in serving as mediators in resolving the crisis in Afghanistan.

“We remain committed to the task of establishing peace and stability on Afghanistan’s territory so that it poses no threats to the region,” Lavrov said.