A top Kremlin official says the US must not be allowed to retake a massive airbase in Afghanistan, warning it could lead to “new conflicts”. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the comments as he hosted a delegation of Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban government in Moscow.
The Taliban last month rejected a bid from President Donald Trump to take back control of Bagram Air Base, which was America’s largest military site during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. In a warning to the US, Mr Lavrov said: “The deployment of military infrastructure of any third countries on the territory of Afghanistan, as well as on the territories of neighbouring states, is categorically unacceptable under any pretext.” The base has been in the hands of the Taliban since the chaotic withdrawal of US forces in 2021.
“The military presence of any extra-regional players could only lead to destabilisation and new conflicts,” Mr Lavrov said.
“The history of Afghanistan has seen a lot of situations with foreign military presence. I believe everyone should have drawn the right conclusions long time ago.”
Mr Trump previously cited Bagram Air Base’s close proximity to China — the US’ biggest economic and military competitor — as one of the reasons the US wants a presence there again.
“It’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,” he said. “So a lot of things are happening.”