Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 2, 2026
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Russia urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to stop cross-border strikes and return to diplomacy as fighting escalated into what Pakistan’s defense minister called an “open war.” Moscow—so far the only state to formally recognize the Taliban-led government—said it is monitoring events closely. ([apnews.co
MOSCOW, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Russia urged Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday to halt cross-border attacks immediately and resolve their differences by diplomatic means.
Russia is the only country to officially recognise the Taliban government of Afghanistan, and also has good relations with Pakistan.
"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... Like everyone else, we are closely monitoring this situation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Peskov confirmed a visit to Russia by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was being prepared, without giving a date. State news agency RIA said it would happen next week.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow was concerned by the sharp military escalation between the two neighbours.
"We call on our friends Afghanistan and Pakistan to abandon this dangerous confrontation and return to the negotiating table to resolve all differences through political and diplomatic means," she wrote on Telegram.
(Reporting by Marina Bobrova and Dmitry Antonovo, writing by Mark Trevelyan and Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Russia urged both countries to halt cross-border attacks immediately and resolve their differences through diplomatic means and negotiations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that direct military clashes do not bode well and expressed hope they would cease soon.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow was concerned by the sharp military escalation and called on both sides to return to the negotiating table.
The article says Russia is the only country to officially recognise the Taliban government of Afghanistan.
Yes. Peskov confirmed a visit by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was being prepared, and RIA said it would happen next week.
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