MOSCOW, 20 October 2021, (TON): Russia, China and Pakistan are willing to provide aid to Afghanistan, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday, but Moscow said it was not yet ready to recognise the Taliban government.

The promise of humanitarian aid and economic support came after talks between Russian, Chinese and Pakistani officials, who will be joined by representatives of Afghanistan’s new rulers at a meeting in Moscow.

But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “Russia was withholding recognition from the Taliban while waiting for them to fulfil promises they made when they took power, including on the political and ethnic inclusivity of the new government.”

Critics say the former rebel movement is backtracking on pledges not to sideline women and minorities, or persecute foes.

Lavrov told reporters “official recognition of the Taliban is not under discussion for now.”

“Like most of other influential countries in the region, we are in contact with them. We are prodding them to fulfil the promises they made when they came to power.”