Russia urges diplomacy as neighbors Afghanistan, Pakistan declare ‘open war’

Russia on Friday pressed leadership in Afghanistan and Pakistan to cease hostilities and to come to a diplomatic solution. 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called for an immediate ceasefire and said Thursday night’s eruption into open conflict is not a good sign for the region.

“Of course, the direct military clashes that have taken place do not bode well. Therefore, we hope that they will cease as soon as possible,” Mr. Peskov told reporters on Friday. “Like everyone else, we are closely monitoring this situation.”

Already simmering tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan exploded into open conflict on Thursday following an Afghan-led cross-border attack that Kabul said was in retaliation for previous strikes. 

Pakistan responded with its own round of airstrikes on three provinces in Afghanistan, including Kabul, early Friday morning. 

Following the strikes, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declared that his country’s “patience has now run out,” and that there now is “open war” between the two nations. Pakistan has also accused Afghanistan of becoming a “colony of India” and “exporting terrorism.”

Reports on Friday indicate that fighting between Afghan and Pakistani forces continued in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces. 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova echoed Mr. Peskov’s comments and called on both sides to “abandon this dangerous confrontation” and return to the negotiating table. 

Mr. Peskov said Moscow was finalizing plans for a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Russia sometime next week but did not divulge further details. 

Russia remains the only nation to formally recognize the Taliban’s control over Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO forces from the country in 2021. Moscow has also maintained friendly relations with Pakistan.