MOSCOW, 17 Sep-RIA Novosti. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed gratitude for the assistance of the Finnish side during the evacuation from Kabul, the Kremlin's press service reports.
"Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinisto... The situation in Afghanistan was also touched upon. Sauli Niinisto expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by Russia to the Finnish side during the evacuation from Kabul, " the message reads.
In turn, Putin informed the President of Finland about the agreements on the Afghan dossier reached at the SCO and CSTO events held in Dushanbe.
"Vladimir Putin informed about the agreements on the Afghan dossier reached at the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council held in Dushanbe on September 16-17 and the meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO member states," the message reads.
In early August, the Taliban intensified their offensive against the Afghan government forces, entered Kabul on August 15 and the next day declared that the war was over. For the last two weeks of August, a mass evacuation of Western citizens and Afghans who collaborated with them took place from the Kabul airport, which was under the protection of the US military. On the night of August 31, the US military left the Kabul airport, ending almost 20 years of US military presence in Afghanistan. On September 6, the Taliban announced that Panjshir, the last of the 34 Afghan provinces, had come under their control with fighting.
The next day, the composition of the interim Government of Afghanistan was announced. It will be headed by Mohammad Hassan Akhund, who held the chair of the foreign Minister during the first rule of the Taliban* and has been under UN sanctions since 2001.
Presidents Putin and Niinisto agreed on further personal contacts and the continuation of an active dialogue at various levels, the Kremlin's press service also reports.
"It was agreed on further personal contacts and the continuation of an active dialogue at various levels," the message says.
Putin also supported the idea of a summit on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which is planned for 2025.
"During the exchange of views on European issues, the President of Finland emphasized the importance of implementing the initiative to convene a summit in Helsinki in 2025 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. Vladimir Putin expressed support for such steps that contribute to the revival of the" spirit of Helsinki, " the message says.
In addition, the sides discussed in detail issues of bilateral relations, including joint projects in the trade, economic, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres. It is added that taking into account Russia's chairmanship in the Arctic Council, the interest in developing a dialogue within the framework of this organization has been confirmed.
* A terrorist organization banned in Russia.
