Russian Defence Minister Says Taliban Unlikely To Seize Kabul Again

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov has excluded the possibility for Afghan Taliban to launch a counter-offensive and seize Kabul. According to information at Russia's disposal, "there is no danger that the Taliban regime might launch a counter-offensive or make another attempt to seize Kabul," the minister told a RIA Novosti correspondent. According to the Russian Defence Minister, Moscow "intends to take an active part" in negotiations on a future political system of Afghanistan. The minister confirmed Russia's position on a future government of Afghanistan. According to Ivanov, it should be a coalition representing all nationalities living on Afghan territory, excluding the Taliban.