Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Geneva spoke out against the presence of US troops in Central Asia. About the position of the Russian leader reports The Wall Street Journal with reference to officials from the Kremlin and the White House.
It became known that the requirement of the Russian leader was an obstacle to the US Army in placing in countries bordering Afghanistan, its aircraft, including unmanned vehicles. According to WSJ, the situation aggravated after coming to power in Kabul Motion “Taliban” (prohibited in Russia).
American officials declared the publication that thus Putin demonstrated the refusal of the desire to solve Afghan problems in favor of expanding Russian influence in Central Asia. According to them, not having access to Tajikistan airports, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, US Air Force will have to post their strength in the Persian Gulf countries.
This significantly increases the flight time of aircraft and drone to Afghanistan and reduces the effectiveness of combat missions. The deputy head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Ryabkov in a conversation with WSJ noted that the Kremlin does not understand, “as the military presence of the United States in Central Asia in any form can strengthen the safety of participating countries.”