Taliban ready to let Moscow exploit Afghan minerals

Russian Ambassador to Kabul, Dmitry Zhirnov said that the Taliban is open to Moscows participation in the Afghan economy, particularly in developing resource deposits."The Taliban is open to us taking part in the economy, including deposit exploitation," he said, TASS News Agency reported.According to the diplomat, the Taliban is also interested in establishing transport and energy projects with Central Asian states. "I think that the Taliban is interested in having a peaceful border with Central Asia to work on trade," he added.The Ambassador however, said that currently there was no alternative to the Taliban in Afghanistan."There's no alternative to the Taliban, it is a reality in all sense of the word, this is a reality that does not just control the capital but the whole country already," he said.Speaking about the new Afghan administration, the Ambassador noted that it is too early to name any specific people. "I think that the makeup of the new administration will be revealed soon. As far as I know, portfolios are being allocated now," he added.Zhirnov also said that the Taliban is not ready to compromise on the issue of the US forces' withdrawal from Kabul.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/3sQ2PGU