Lavrov & Blinken Agree on More Afghanistan Consultations to Ensure Stability

LOCAL NEWS

• Lavrov & Blinken discuss Afghanistan situation after President's departure.
  • Both sides agreed to continue consultations involving all concerned sides (China, Pakistan & other concerned UN countries) to promote a dialogue in Afghanistan after the change in power.
  • Lavrov placed emphasis on ensuring stability, law and order in Afghanistan. Moscow remains on alert for spillover into ex-soviet countries where Russia Maintains military bases
• Russia to partially evacuate 100 member Kabul embassy after Taliban takeover.
• Russian ambassador will meet with Taliban today to discuss security measures for Russian diplomats remaining at their postings
• Trade Dept says it will contest the recent US report classifying Russia as a non-market economy which contradicts WTO norms.
  • "If the U.S. Department of Commerce interprets the information it has about our economy not in our favor and decides on its non-market status... such a decision will obviously contradict the U.S. obligations in the WTO and can be challenged in Geneva"
• Preparations for creation of customs and tax exemption zone in the controversial Kuril islands between Russia & Japan to be finalised by September.
  • This may cause frictions between Japan and Russia with the dispute over the islands going back to WWII as Japan has highlighted concerns over the possible militarisation of the islands being a roadblock to an effective Russia-Japan peace treaty