26 Oct 2017 19:20

Western accusations against Russia of support to Taliban groundless - Russian presidential envoy

BRUSSELS. Oct 26 (Interfax) - Western accusations against Russia with respect to supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan are groundless, Zamir Kabulov, the Russian president's special representative for Afghanistan, said in Brussels.

"No proof was given, apart from words," Kabulov said, confirming that certain NATO partners in the NATO-Russia Council had brought this issue up at an ambassadorial meeting at NATO headquarters on Thursday.

"At that, we reminded about another question regarding so-called 'mysterious' unmarked helicopters which are transporting militants, weapons and ammunition for ISIL [terrorist group banned in Russia]," the high-ranking diplomat said.

"We have not received an answer to this question. But we understand that all those contrived insinuations regarding Russian support for the Taliban movement should be seen as our Western partners' answer," Kabulov said.