Russia Stands Ready To Assist Afghanistan Throughout Peace Process - Nebenzia

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 18th September, 2018) Russia remains committed helping Afghanistan launch a new peace process, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said on Monday.

"We reaffirm our willingness to lend our fullest support," Nebenzia told the UN Security Council. "We welcome international and regional efforts to lend assistance to Afghanistan in the establishment of the peace process."

He added there is no place for competition when it comes to ending the conflict in the country. Nebenzia stressed the need for an international platform for support to Afghanistan, so stakeholders can be fully engaged in the peace process.

Moscow attempted to host a meeting on Afghanistan earlier in September but decided to postpone it after the government of Afghanistan refused to attend over the Taliban's refusal to accept a cease-fire offer.

Nebenzia emphasized Russia's view that the conflict can only be resolved through political means, saying the use of military force by the United States and NATO had not brought desired results in the country.

Afghanistan has long been in a state of turmoil, with the government fighting the Islamic State (IS) terror group, outlawed in Russia, and the Taliban insurgency. In August, the Taliban rejected Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's offer for a three-month ceasefire.