CSTO Must Be Prepared for Potential Taliban Infiltration, Shoigu Says

The border of Afghanistan with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is under the control of the Taliban, and the CSTO must be ready for the potential infiltration of terrorists, said Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, as reported by RIA Novosti.

“It is important for us that the border with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has also come under the control of the Taliban. All the checkpoints and threats that previously arose from Afghanistan, such as the illegal drug trade and the infiltration of terrorists into our countries through Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, have not diminished the threats,” he said at a youth forum.

Shoigu noted that it is crucial for Russia's allies in the CSTO to be prepared for this. “We are, of course, doing everything we can for that,” he added.

According to the minister, the armed forces of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan must be ready to repel any potential provocations from the Taliban.