The CSTO should be ready to use its defense and political potential to maintain stability on its territory after the hasty withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"The situation in the CSTO area of responsibility and the external borders of the member states is not only unstable, but also carries really acute challenges and risks for the security of our countries," the president said, speaking at a session of the CSTO Collective Security Council via video link.
"Immediately after, to put it mildly, the hasty withdrawal of US troops and their allies and the coming to power of the Taliban movement (banned in the Russian Federation), we exchanged views at an extraordinary CSTO summit on the dangers associated with the radically changed situation in this country," Putin said.
He recalled that at that meeting, the CSTO leaders agreed that it is necessary to be ready at any time to fully use the defense and political potential of the CSTO to ensure security, maintain peace and stability in our countries.
