Chinese and Russian leaders discussed Afghanistan on Wednesday, Chinese state media said, but did not echo the G7’s call for the Taliban to allow people to flee the country after Aug. 31, as desperate crowds left behind by the withdrawal of U.S. troops continue to fear for their safety.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged views on Afghanistan in a call on Wednesday, a day after leaders of the Group of Seven countries met to discuss the crisis.
China and Russia are not part of the G7, a grouping of rich democracies which includes the United States and Britain.
Read more: G7 leaders to decide recognition of Taliban govt
President Joe Biden said on Tuesday the United States expects to finish evacuations by August 31. The Taliban said all foreign evacuations from the country must be completed by then.
The G7 leaders agreed on Tuesday to press the Taliban to allow safe passage to Afghans wanting to leave after August 31.
In the call with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, Xi Jinping reiterated China’s position of non-interference and of respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty and independence, China’s People’s Daily reported.
Xi on applicability of Western models in China, Russia
“Whether the shoes fit is only known to the one wearing them. As to which systems work in China and Russia, only Chinese and Russian people have the right to speak.”
— Stuart Lau (@StuartKLau) August 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/CSeiple/status/1430530213021196288
The report said Vladimir Putin told Xi Jinping he shares China’s positions and interests in Afghanistan and he is willing to work with China to “prevent foreign forces from interfering and destroying” Afghanistan.
Xi urged all parties in Afghanistan to build an open and inclusive political framework, implement moderate, stable policies and cut ties with all terrorist groups.
Read more: How do Russia, Pakistan, China, Iran and India view the Taliban’s rise in Afghanistan?
Putin said Russia also wants to work with China to fight terrorism and drugs smuggling and to prevent the security risks from “spilling out” of Afghanistan.
Kremlin readout of Putin's conversations on Afghanistan with Modi (left) and Xi (right) pic.twitter.com/8fvnFS3iEr
— Tanvi Madan (@tanvi_madan) August 25, 2021
Reuters with additional input by GVS News Desk