China, Russia Take Cautious Stance On Taliban Recognition

Both the foreign ministries of China and Russia have taken something of a cautious stance towards the recognition of a Taliban-led gov't in Afghanistan following the fall of the Ghani administration over the weekend.

• Chinese Foreign Ministry spox Hua Chunying stated that, "We respect the wishes and choices of the Afghan people. The war in Afghanistan has lasted for more than 40 years. Stopping the war and achieving peace is the unanimous aspiration of more than 30 million Afghan people", adding that ties with the Taliban would have to be based on respecting sovereignty.
• The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that it will not 'rush' to recognise a Taliban-led gov't, adding that it will depend on the behaviour of the Taliban. The Russian ambassador will, though, meet with Taliban officials in Kabul on Tuesday. Also states that the seizure of power by the Taliban is not a transition, but the result of the failure of the United States in Afghanistan.
• Unlike most Western nations, both Russia and China are keeping their embassies in Kabul operational, although Russia is evacuating around 100 personnel.
• NATO and its members will be watching closely the actions of Russia and China in Afghanistan. Both Beijing and Moscow will be wary as to the actions of the Taliban, given both nations will have concerns about the country becoming a training ground for Islamist terrorist groups that could launch attacks on China and/or Russia.
• However, the security and power vacuum left by the departing Western cohorts leaves space for increased influence of Russia and China in the region.