Russian diplomatic mission in Kabul continuing 'routine, full-fledged operations' - Russian ambassador
MOSCOW. Aug 19 (Interfax) - The Russian diplomatic mission in Kabul is continuing its "routine full-fledged operations" following the change of power in Afghanistan, Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov said in an interview published in the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper on Thursday.
The Russian diplomatic mission in Afghanistan "is maintaining its normal, routine, and fully-fledged operations," Zhirnov said.
"We start work at 8:30 a.m. every morning. Our lunch breach is from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Exit to the city is temporarily restricted as an extra precaution, because the change of power is ongoing. There is no shortage of food, fuel, or other supplies," he said.
"Some ambassadors are planning to come back, because the situation in the city is normalizing," Zhirnov said.
"We are keeping in touch with the embassies of the U.S., China, Pakistan, and other countries," he said.
In Kabul, "the situation has been stabilizing since August 16," Zhirnov said.
"The Taliban have restored order. Not a single shot has been heard for the third consecutive day, something that didn't happen prior to their arrival. In other words, the situation now is better than it was before the Taliban arrived," he said.
The Taliban leadership's "attitude toward Russia is positive. They have also confirmed this in public. They have singled us out along with Pakistan and China. They told us the same during a confidential conversation. We will keep in touch with them," Zhirnov said.
The Taliban movement has been designated as terrorist in accordance with Russian legislation and outlawed in Russia.