Anna Evstigneeva, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations (UN), has said that the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reflects the international community’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on Monday, June 15, the Russian diplomat said that the new resolution preserves UNAMA’s current structure without changes, allowing the mission to continue its work in Afghanistan.
She added that Moscow supports a strategic review of UNAMA’s mandate. However, she stressed that the process should be based on a realistic and impartial assessment of the situation in Afghanistan, involve Taliban authorities, and take into account the needs of the Afghan people.
Evstigneeva warned that using the review process to turn UNAMA into a monitoring tool serving Western countries could jeopardize the UN mission in Afghanistan.
She also emphasized that achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan is not possible without engagement with the country’s current authorities, adding that sustained dialogue with Taliban officials is a key component of this approach.
According to her, there is no alternative to this path, and the future success of UNAMA’s mission also depends on continuing this approach.
On Monday, the UN Security Council extended UNAMA’s mandate in Afghanistan for another year.
At the same time, the UN secretary-general has been requested to conduct a strategic review of the mission’s performance in Afghanistan.
